Bill Maher Accuses Gavin Newsom of 'Imitating Trump' Over Fox News Lawsuit

Variety · 2026-05-02
Bill Maher Accuses Gavin Newsom of 'Imitating Trump' Over Fox News Lawsuit

During a recent appearance on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher," California Governor Gavin Newsom faced pointed questioning from host Bill Maher regarding his administration's lawsuit against Fox News. Maher directly accused Newsom of "imitating Trump" with the legal action, suggesting it was a politically motivated move to attack the press. The lawsuit, filed over the network's coverage of a mentally ill individual's relocation, is framed by Newsom's office as a necessary response to alleged defamation and misinformation. Newsom defended his position, asserting the suit was about accountability and not political imitation. Maher, however, questioned the strategy, linking it to Trump-style tactics and suggesting Newsom should focus on state issues. The exchange underscored the contentious nature of media disputes and the political calculus involved in such high-profile legal challenges, with the outcome having potential implications for media law and political discourse.