Fox Lawsuit Latest News, Fox News Sued for $3.5 Billion, Judge Just Rejected Fox’s Delay Tactics—Smartmatic Trial Moving Forward
Fox News faces three major active lawsuits in 2025: Smartmatic’s $2.7 billion defamation case over 2020 election lies heading to trial after a November 2025 ruling denied Fox’s motion to pause proceedings, Newsmax’s antitrust lawsuit claiming Fox illegally controls the right-wing TV market with Fox filing to dismiss in November 2025, and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s $787 million defamation suit over Jesse Watters’ coverage of a Trump phone call with Fox moving to dismiss in August 2025.
What Are the Latest Fox Lawsuits
Fox News currently battles three significant legal cases that could reshape media law and cost the network billions.
The Smartmatic defamation lawsuit seeks $2.7 billion in damages over Fox’s promotion of false 2020 election fraud claims. On November 25, 2025, a New York judge denied Fox’s motion to pause the case despite federal bribery charges against Smartmatic executives, stating delays would cause “undue delay.” Both sides have filed motions for summary judgment, with the judge yet to rule.
Newsmax filed an antitrust lawsuit in September 2025 accusing Fox of monopolizing the right-wing pay TV news market. On November 26, 2025, Fox filed a motion to dismiss in Wisconsin, calling the suit “meritless” and arguing Newsmax cannot sue its way out of competitive failures.
Governor Gavin Newsom sued Fox for $787 million in June 2025 after host Jesse Watters allegedly defamed him by claiming he lied about a phone call with President Trump. Fox moved to dismiss in August 2025, calling it a political stunt to advance Newsom’s presidential ambitions.
The Smartmatic Defamation Case: $2.7 Billion at Stake
Smartmatic sued Fox News and Fox Corporation in February 2021, claiming the network’s conspiracy theory-laden coverage destroyed its reputation after the 2020 election. Fox hosts and guests promoted debunked lies that Smartmatic machines rigged the election against President Trump, despite Smartmatic’s technology being used only in Los Angeles County.
On January 9, 2025, a New York appellate court ruled Fox Corporation must face the lawsuit, finding the amended complaint “sufficiently alleged Fox Corporation’s direct liability” for defamatory statements. The ruling modified an earlier decision to reinstate claims against the parent company based on allegations Fox Corporation directed the disinformation campaign.
In May 2025, both Fox and Smartmatic filed competing motions for summary judgment. Smartmatic’s heavily redacted filing argued Fox executives, alarmed by ratings drops after the 2020 election, deliberately amplified election fraud claims to win back viewers. Fox countered that the case differs from Dominion because Smartmatic cannot prove actual malice.
On November 25, 2025, Judge David B. Cohen denied Fox’s motion to pause proceedings despite federal bribery charges against three Smartmatic executives. Fox had argued Smartmatic’s October 2025 federal indictment for allegedly paying $1 million in bribes to secure Philippine election contracts warranted a stay. The judge rejected this, stating “I don’t find there’s good cause for a stay.”
Recent Court Rulings and Evidence Spoliation Claims
In June 2025, Smartmatic filed a spoliation motion alleging Fox deliberately destroyed key evidence, including actions by Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch. The motion claimed Fox destroyed text messages and other communications relevant to the case, threatening the integrity of judicial proceedings.
Fox won a partial victory in May 2025 when a New York appeals court ruled Fox can obtain documents about the federal bribery indictment against Smartmatic executives. The court found these materials “plainly relevant” to Smartmatic’s damages claims. Fox argues if Smartmatic’s reputation was damaged, it resulted from controversial foreign dealings rather than news coverage.
Unlike Dominion, whose voting machines were used in two dozen states, Smartmatic says its technology operated only in Los Angeles County in 2020. Fox has sharply questioned Smartmatic’s $2.7 billion valuation and claims of lost contracts. The Dominion case established that Fox executives, hosts, and producers didn’t believe the voter fraud claims promoted on air.
Newsmax Antitrust Lawsuit: Monopoly Allegations
On September 3, 2025, Newsmax filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in Miami accusing Fox of engaging in an “extensive and unlawful campaign” to block competition in the right-leaning pay television news market. The suit seeks damages under Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, the Florida Antitrust Act, and the Florida Deceptive Unfair Trade Practices Act. Under federal law, any damages would be trebled.
Newsmax alleges Fox uses multiple strategies to coerce distributors into not carrying or marginalizing other right-leaning news channels, including explicit or tacit “no-carry” provisions making Fox content conditional on not carrying competitors, financial penalties requiring distributors to carry low-demand Fox channels like Fox Business if they carry Newsmax, and confidential drag-down clauses that penalize promoting Newsmax in basic packages.
The lawsuit cites internal Fox communications that surfaced during the Dominion case. Fox Corporation founder Rupert Murdoch told Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott that Newsmax “should be watched.” A Fox programming executive tracked guests and topics covered on Newsmax after noticing Fox viewers watching less Fox in favor of Newsmax. Former Fox Corp executive Raj Shah, a Trump administration spokesperson, stated Fox was “not concerned with losing market share to CNN or MSNBC right now. Our concern is Newsmax and One America News Network.”
On November 26, 2025, Fox filed a motion to dismiss in Wisconsin, arguing “Newsmax cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers.” Fox contends that while Newsmax achieved comparable distribution, it failed to translate into comparable popularity.
Gavin Newsom Defamation Case: $787 Million Claim
California Governor Gavin Newsom sued Fox News on June 27, 2025, seeking $787 million in damages—matching Fox’s 2023 Dominion settlement. The lawsuit alleges host Jesse Watters defamed Newsom by falsely claiming he lied about a phone call with President Trump.
The dispute centers on June 2025 ICE raid protests in Los Angeles. Newsom and Trump spoke on June 7, 2025, at approximately 1:23 a.m. ET for about 16 minutes. On June 10, Trump told reporters he spoke with Newsom “a day ago” to tell him he was “doing a bad job.” Newsom responded on X: “There was no call. Not even a voicemail.”
Watters’ June 10 show played an edited clip of Trump’s remarks omitting the “a day ago” statement. Watters asked “Why would Newsom lie and claim Trump never called him?” with an on-screen banner reading “Gavin Lied About Trump’s Call.” Fox News later obtained White House call logs showing the June 7 call.
On August 7, 2025, Fox moved to dismiss, calling the suit a “political stunt” to advance Newsom’s “presidential ambitions.” The 45-page filing argued Watters offered his opinion based on disclosed facts, which enjoys First Amendment protection. Fox noted Watters issued a quasi-apology on July 17, saying Newsom “didn’t deceive anybody on purpose. So I’m sorry, he wasn’t lying. He was just confusing and unclear.”
Newsom’s lawyers offered to drop the case if Fox issues a formal retraction and on-air apology. The lawsuit also seeks a court order prohibiting Fox from airing claims that Newsom lied about Trump phone calls.
Legal Strategies and Defenses
Fox employs consistent defense strategies across all three cases, arguing its coverage involved inherently newsworthy events and figures protected by the First Amendment. In Smartmatic, Fox contends it accurately conveyed what Trump claimed about election results and cannot be held liable for reporting on the president’s statements.
In the Newsmax antitrust case, Fox argues Newsmax’s distribution challenges stem from its inability to attract viewers despite achieving carriage agreements, not from Fox’s anticompetitive behavior. Fox characterizes the suit as an attempt to blame competitive failures on alleged monopolistic practices.
For the Newsom case, Fox asserts Watters’ commentary constituted opinion protected by the First Amendment. Fox argues Newsom created confusion by stating unequivocally “there was no call” when he and Trump had spoken days earlier. The network claims it cannot be liable for taking Newsom’s words at face value.
Plaintiffs across all cases point to Fox’s pattern of prioritizing profits and ratings over truth. Smartmatic and Dominion discovery revealed internal Fox communications showing executives and hosts expressing doubt about election fraud claims while amplifying them on air. Newsmax highlights similar evidence from the Dominion case showing Fox’s laser focus on competition from smaller right-leaning outlets.
Current Case Status and Next Steps
The Smartmatic case appears headed for trial, possibly in 2026, after the judge denied Fox’s November 2025 motion to pause. Both sides await the judge’s ruling on competing summary judgment motions filed in May 2025. Smartmatic urges the court to set a trial date, accusing Fox of running “the classic playbook of the multi-billion-dollar defendant—delay the case as much as possible, force the smaller plaintiff into spending money responding to overreaching discovery.”
The Newsmax antitrust lawsuit remains in early stages following Fox’s November 2025 motion to dismiss filed in Wisconsin. The court has not yet ruled on the motion. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy stated “Fox is using its monopoly power on the center-right news market to stop Newsmax from getting distribution and becoming a top competitor to them.”
The Newsom defamation case awaits a ruling on Fox’s August 2025 motion to dismiss. Newsom maintains his offer to drop the suit if Fox retracts and apologizes. During a June 2025 press conference, Newsom called Fox “a propaganda network” that learned “nothing from the Dominion lawsuit,” adding “I’ve been a piñata for Fox News for years and years and years. Never, however, have I seen that line crossed in such a clear and distinctive way.”
Comparison to Previous Fox Litigation
These cases follow Fox’s $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in April 2023, moments before trial. The Dominion case exposed damaging internal communications showing Fox executives, stars, and producers broadcast false claims while privately expressing doubts about election fraud allegations.
The Smartmatic case builds on Dominion’s foundation, with plaintiffs arguing Fox’s lies created $2.7 billion in damages. Newsmax separately settled Smartmatic’s defamation claims for $40 million in August 2024, with Newsmax acknowledging after discovery that claims about Smartmatic manipulating the 2020 election were factually false.
Fox settled Newsmax’s separate antitrust claims for an undisclosed amount, though that case differed from the current Newsmax lawsuit. One America News Network also settled with Smartmatic for an undisclosed amount.
Legal experts note Smartmatic seeks damages exceeding Dominion’s settlement, arguing its damages are greater despite serving only Los Angeles County. Fox counters that Smartmatic’s limited use undermines its $2.7 billion valuation. The Newsmax antitrust case breaks new ground by directly challenging Fox’s distribution agreements rather than on-air content.
FAQ: Fox Lawsuit Latest News
What is the latest update on the Smartmatic lawsuit against Fox News?
On November 25, 2025, a New York judge denied Fox’s motion to pause the $2.7 billion Smartmatic defamation case despite federal bribery charges against Smartmatic executives. Both sides filed competing motions for summary judgment in May 2025, with rulings still pending. The case is expected to proceed to trial, possibly in 2026.
What is Newsmax suing Fox News for?
Newsmax filed an antitrust lawsuit in September 2025 claiming Fox illegally monopolizes the right-wing pay TV news market by coercing distributors into not carrying competing channels through restrictive agreements, financial penalties, and confidential drag-down clauses. Fox filed a motion to dismiss on November 26, 2025, calling the lawsuit meritless.
Why is Gavin Newsom suing Fox News?
Governor Newsom sued Fox for $787 million in June 2025, claiming host Jesse Watters defamed him by falsely stating he lied about a phone call with President Trump. Fox moved to dismiss in August 2025, calling it a political stunt. Newsom offered to drop the suit if Fox retracts and apologizes.
How much money is Fox News being sued for?
Fox faces $3.574 billion in active lawsuit claims: $2.7 billion from Smartmatic, $787 million from Newsom, and undisclosed trebled damages from Newsmax. Under the Sherman Act, Newsmax’s damages would be automatically tripled if it prevails.
What happened in the Fox News Dominion lawsuit?
Fox settled Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million in April 2023, moments before trial. The case exposed internal communications showing Fox executives and hosts privately doubted election fraud claims while amplifying them on air to maintain ratings and viewer loyalty.
Will the Smartmatic case go to trial?
The Smartmatic case appears headed for trial after a November 2025 ruling denied Fox’s motion to pause proceedings. The judge must first rule on competing summary judgment motions filed in May 2025. If no settlement occurs, trial could begin in 2026.
What evidence does Smartmatic have against Fox News?
Smartmatic filed a spoliation motion in June 2025 alleging Fox, including Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, deliberately destroyed text messages and communications. Discovery revealed Fox hosts admitted election claims were “so f***ing cray” and “MINDBLOWINGLY NUTS” while continuing to amplify them on air.
Disclaimer: This article provides legal information about Fox lawsuits based on verified court documents, case filings, news sources, and legal analysis current as of the publication date. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal advice regarding similar cases, please consult with a qualified attorney. Always verify current case status and legal developments through official court resources.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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