By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a recent episode, Fox News host Jesse Watters apologized to California Governor Gavin Newsom for insinuating he lied about a phone call with President Trump. This apology comes amidst a $787 million defamation lawsuit filed by Newsom, who accused Watters of misleadingly editing a video to create a false narrative. The lawsuit alleges Watters misrepresented the timing of the call to suggest the governor discussed troop deployment with Trump, when in fact, the call occurred earlier. Despite the apology, Newsom remains steadfast in his legal action, stating he looks forward to the court proceedings.
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Jesse Watters, the Fox News host, found himself in an undeniably awkward position, forced to offer a “walkback” of his previous claims regarding California Governor Gavin Newsom. The situation stemmed from accusations that Newsom had lied about a phone call with former President Trump, accusations that Watters had readily amplified on his show. However, with the release of the White House phone log, the narrative shifted dramatically, forcing Watters to eat his words, or at least, attempt to.
The resulting statement from Watters was, to put it mildly, less than convincing. He began with the perfunctory “I’m sorry,” but quickly followed with the assertion that Newsom “wasn’t lying.” However, instead of a genuine apology acknowledging the error and the dissemination of false information, Watters opted to frame the situation as one of “confusing and unclear” communication on Newsom’s part. This tactic, unsurprisingly, didn’t land well. It’s hard to miss the blatant deflection – the attempt to shift the blame, however subtly, onto the person he had previously accused. It was a masterclass in avoiding accountability, a characteristic that has become synonymous with certain corners of the media landscape.
The reaction to Watters’ “apology” was swift and overwhelmingly critical. Many saw it for what it was: a forced concession designed to mitigate the legal repercussions of spreading misinformation. The insincerity was palpable, the implication being, “I’m sorry I got caught, not that I was wrong.” The continued, if veiled, criticism of Newsom further undermined the apology, making it clear that the underlying animosity remained. Instead of retracting the original statements with clarity and sincerity, Watters attempted to twist the narrative to maintain the negative perspective on Newsom. The tactic didn’t work.
The entire saga highlights the broader issue of media accountability, or the lack thereof. Fox News, and figures like Watters, have a history of spreading information that is, at best, misleading and, at worst, outright false. This has been evidenced by a series of instances, including the network’s settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. The fact that a flimsy “apology” was even considered adequate in this case underscores a disturbing pattern: a willingness to prioritize narrative and political agenda over factual accuracy.
The crux of the matter revolves around Newsom’s statement that he had not been informed of the impending troop deployment to Los Angeles by the former President. Trump’s claims that he did call Newsom and that this was a known and coordinated effort proved false when the phone logs came to light. It was a cut-and-dried case of the truth versus the lies, a stark contrast that Watters had to somehow navigate. His failure to do so gracefully is a testament to his own biases.
The legal implications of the situation are also significant. Governor Newsom had threatened legal action, seeking a retraction and a formal apology. Watters’ pathetic attempt clearly did not satisfy these conditions. The fact that he was compelled to make the statement at all, suggests an acknowledgement of potential liability, but the poor quality of the statement has already brought more negative attention. This may mean Newsom is going to move forward with the lawsuit, and the potential financial consequences for Fox News and Watters are substantial.
The whole episode serves as a microcosm of the current political climate. Facts often seem secondary to narratives and the desire to “own the libs.” It’s a case study in how some media outlets operate: they create their own reality. When they are confronted with the facts, the response is often a clumsy, self-serving attempt to minimize damage.
Ultimately, Jesse Watters’ embarrassing walkback does more than just reveal his own shortcomings. It shines a light on a broader problem: the erosion of journalistic integrity, the proliferation of misinformation, and the resistance of some media figures to simply admit when they are wrong. The “apology” was a bad faith attempt to appease legal pressures, a transparent exercise in avoiding accountability that fell short of what was required.