Fact Check: "Fox News faces serious backlash as Newsom accuses them of lying for Trump."
What We Know
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a $787 million lawsuit against Fox News, specifically targeting host Jesse Watters for defamation. The lawsuit stems from Watters' claims that Newsom lied about a phone call with former President Donald Trump regarding the deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. Newsom asserts that he did not receive a call from Trump, contradicting Watters' statements on air, where he suggested that Newsom was being dishonest (NBC News, Reuters).
In the lawsuit, Newsom claims that Fox News operates as a "propaganda machine" for Trump's agenda and that their reporting disregards journalistic ethics (NBC News). The legal action is framed as a necessary step to confront what Newsom describes as Fox's "dishonest practices" that threaten democratic principles through disinformation (NBC News).
Analysis
The claim that Fox News is facing backlash from Newsom is substantiated by the filing of the lawsuit, which explicitly accuses the network of defamation. Newsom's legal team argues that Watters' comments were not only false but also damaging to Newsom's reputation (NBC News).
Fox News has responded by labeling the lawsuit as a "transparent publicity stunt" aimed at suppressing free speech critical of Newsom (NBC News). This response highlights the contentious nature of the relationship between the network and political figures, particularly those from opposing parties.
The credibility of the sources reporting on this issue, such as NBC News and Reuters, is generally high, given their established reputations in journalism. Both outlets have provided detailed accounts of the lawsuit and its implications, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the situation. However, it is important to recognize that Fox News has a history of bias, particularly in its coverage of Democratic figures, which may color its portrayal of Newsom's actions (NBC News).
Conclusion
The claim that Fox News is facing serious backlash from Newsom due to accusations of lying is True. The lawsuit filed by Newsom directly addresses the alleged defamatory statements made by Fox News, indicating a significant legal and public relations challenge for the network. The context of the lawsuit, combined with the statements made by both parties, supports the conclusion that this claim is accurate.
