Jesse Watters, Fox News’ primetime star, stumbled into a legal quagmire with California’s governor. On Thursday’s show, he offered a begrudging apology to Gavin Newsom for falsely claiming the governor lied about a phone call with President Donald Trump, as The Independent reports. The retraction, dripping with reluctance, follows a hefty $787 million defamation lawsuit that’s got conservatives raising eyebrows.

Watters’ apology stemmed from a controversy over a June 7 phone call between Newsom and Trump. A deceptively edited video on Watters’ show, Primetime, suggested the call happened closer to June 9, when Trump mobilized U.S. Marines during anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. Newsom’s lawsuit, filed June 28 in Delaware, accuses Watters and Fox News of twisting the truth to paint the governor as dishonest.

The saga began when Watters’ show aired a clip implying Newsom and Trump discussed troop deployment. Newsom denied this, stating the call occurred after midnight on June 7 and focused on other matters.

Records, including a screenshot Trump sent to Fox News anchor John Roberts, confirm the call’s date, exposing the clip’s misleading edit.

Misleading edit sparks legal firestorm

Newsom’s legal team didn’t mince words, arguing the edited video falsely tied the call to the Marine deployment. The lawsuit claims Watters’ narrative pushed a false story that Newsom misled the public.

For conservatives wary of progressive overreach, this raises questions about media accountability on both sides.

Watters’ apology wasn’t exactly heartfelt. “He didn’t deceive anybody on purpose, so I’m sorry, he wasn’t lying,” Watters said, adding a jab: “Next time, governor, why don’t you say what you mean?”

The quip, while sharp, doesn’t erase the damage of the original claim, especially with a lawsuit looming.

Newsom’s response was equally pointed. “There was no call. Not even a voicemail,” he posted on X on June 10, emphasizing no discussion about troops occurred. His clarity undercuts Watters’ attempt to spin the governor’s words as vague.

Lawsuit looms despite apology

The controversy escalated when Fox News ran a banner declaring, “Gavin lied about Trump’s call.” Newsom’s X post directly refuted this, stating he and Trump hadn’t spoken after June 7. For MAGA supporters, this feels like another skirmish in the culture war, where media narratives often outpace facts.

Watters doubled down before backtracking, claiming Newsom’s X post implied no call happened at all. “We thought the dispute was about whether there was a phone call at all,” he said. This defense, flimsy at best, ignores the screenshot evidence Trump himself provided.

Newsom’s lawyers offered a deal: drop the lawsuit if Watters issued a retraction and formal apology. Watters’ on-air mea culpa, however, fell short of contrition, and Newsom’s team signaled no retreat. “Discovery will be fun. See you in court, buddy,” Newsom told the Los Angeles Times, keeping the legal heat on.

Conservatives question media missteps

For conservatives, Watters’ misstep is a frustrating distraction from real issues like border security and government overreach. The lawsuit highlights how quickly narratives can spiral, even on trusted platforms. Yet, Newsom’s $787 million demand feels like a progressive power play to some, aiming to chill free speech.

The edited clip’s fallout underscores a broader point: precision matters in reporting. Watters’ show leaned on a misleading edit, and now Fox News faces a costly reckoning. Conservatives, while skeptical of Newsom’s motives, can’t ignore the need for airtight facts.

Trump’s screenshot, shared with Roberts and used on Watters’ show, was meant to clarify but instead fueled the fire. It confirmed the June 7 call, contradicting the narrative Watters pushed. This slip-up hands ammunition to critics who claim conservative media plays fast and loose.

Newsom’s lawsuit tests free speech

Newsom’s decision to pursue the lawsuit, despite the apology, suggests a deeper agenda to some conservatives. His legal team argues the edited clip damaged his reputation, but the $787 million figure smells like political theater. Still, Watters’ error gave Newsom an opening to strike back.

The anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, the backdrop of this drama, highlight tensions over federal authority. Trump’s Marine deployment was a bold move, cheered by many conservatives, but Watters’ false claim muddies the narrative. Accuracy, not exaggeration, should drive the conservative case.

As the lawsuit heads to court, both sides dig in. Newsom’s “see you in court” taunt signals no compromise, while Watters’ half-hearted apology won’t defuse the tension. For conservatives, this is a reminder: fight the progressive agenda with facts, not flubs, or risk getting burned.