Bill Maher told Newsom his Fox lawsuit sounds 'exactly like' Trump and the governor pushed back

WASHINGTON, DC: California Governor Gavin Newsom defended his combative social media strategy and ongoing defamation lawsuit against Fox News during an interview on 'Real Time with Bill Maher' on Friday, May 1, where host Bill Maher argued that some of Newsom’s tactics resembled those of President Donald Trump.

The exchange centered on Newsom’s criticism of Trump’s rhetoric, his social media posts mocking the president, and his legal action against Fox News over alleged defamation.

Maher repeatedly pressed Newsom on whether his political style risked echoing the same conduct he criticizes in Trump.

Bill Maher questions Gavin Newsom's political strategy and legal fight

During the interview, Newsom criticized Trump’s public rhetoric and conduct, describing the broader political climate as increasingly divisive. He argued that Trump has contributed to a more hostile political environment and said that public discourse has deteriorated as a result.

Maher responded by suggesting that Newsom’s own political tactics, particularly his use of sharp social media attacks and legal action against media organizations, resembled Trump’s approach. 

“But many people would say that you are imitating him,” Maher said. “Among all the people who may or may not be running, you are the one who kind of imitates his style with the trolling. You’re suing Fox now, I understand.”

Newsom defended the lawsuit, saying Fox should either settle or issue an apology. 

“That’s what we’re going into discovery. Fox better look to settle right now or apologize for defamation,” Newsom said.

Maher pushed back, arguing that using defamation lawsuits against media organizations was similar to Trump’s own legal strategy.

“Okay, but that sounds exactly like what he does. Suing media?” Maher said. Newsom rejected the comparison, responding: “Well, then don’t defame. Don’t lie.”

Gavin Newsom says social media responses not meant to 'mirror' Trump

Newsom said his social media posts targeting Trump are intended to highlight what he described as the president’s unconventional political behavior rather than imitate it.

“Well, here’s the point. I’m trying to put a mirror up to Donald Trump,” Newsom said. “Yeah. And I think it’s important, with a sense of humor as well.”

He pointed to Trump’s public imagery and messaging style as examples of what he called political “absurdity,” saying: “The deviation of normalcy is off the chart.”

Newsom also criticized Fox News for previously condemning his online conduct while, in his view, overlooking Trump’s own political messaging style.

“And you may recall when I first started doing this, the folks on Fox said, ‘Oh, this is so unbecoming of the governor of California’ ... with no situational awareness that their dear leader has been doing this for years and years and years,” Newsom said.

The interview also touched on Newsom’s political future, with Maher citing polling that places the California governor among early Democratic frontrunners for 2028. Newsom declined to engage directly, instead questioning Maher’s repeated references to a future campaign.

The television appearance came shortly after a Delaware judge allowed Newsom’s $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News to proceed, marking an early legal victory in the case. Fox News has said it plans to continue fighting the lawsuit, describing it as an attempt to restrict free speech.