Fact Check: Newsom's legal team has a history of winning high-stakes defamation cases!

Fact Check: "Newsom's legal team has a history of winning high-stakes defamation cases!"

What We Know

The claim that Governor Gavin Newsom's legal team has a history of winning high-stakes defamation cases lacks substantial evidence. While it is true that Newsom's legal team, particularly attorney Mark Bankston, has been involved in notable defamation cases, the outcomes of these cases do not uniformly support the assertion that they have a consistent record of victories in high-stakes defamation lawsuits.

For instance, Bankston was involved in a high-profile case representing the parents of a Sandy Hook shooting victim against Alex Jones, which resulted in a significant judgment against Jones for defamation. However, this case is not directly related to Newsom and does not establish a pattern of success for Newsom's legal team specifically in defamation cases against major media entities like Fox News.

In June 2025, Newsom filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News, seeking $787 million over alleged false statements made about him. This case is still ongoing, and thus, it is premature to label it as a victory or loss for his legal team at this time (Politico).

Analysis

The assertion that Newsom's legal team has a history of winning high-stakes defamation cases is misleading. The primary evidence cited is the involvement of Mark Bankston in significant cases, but this does not reflect the overall success of Newsom's legal team in defamation cases specifically.

The New York Times and AP News provide context about the complexities involved in defamation cases, particularly the high burden of proof required to establish defamation, which includes demonstrating "actual malice." The ongoing nature of Newsom's case against Fox News means that any claims about the team's success are speculative at this point.

Moreover, the legal landscape for defamation cases is nuanced. Many cases are settled out of court or result in mixed outcomes, making it challenging to definitively categorize a legal team's history as one of consistent success. The lack of comprehensive data on all cases handled by Newsom's legal team further complicates the ability to substantiate the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that Newsom's legal team has a history of winning high-stakes defamation cases is misleading and unsupported by substantial evidence. While individual members of the team may have notable successes in other contexts, there is no clear record of consistent victories in high-stakes defamation cases specifically tied to Newsom. The ongoing nature of the current case against Fox News further underscores the uncertainty surrounding this claim.

Fact Check: Newsom's legal team has a history of winning high-stakes defamation cases!