Overview
- During Friday’s Real Time interview, Bill Maher said Gavin Newsom was copying Donald Trump’s trolling and pressed him on suing Fox News.
- Newsom defended the $787 million defamation suit against Fox and Jesse Watters, said the network should settle or apologize, and noted the Delaware case is entering discovery after an April ruling.
- Maher challenged California’s record on costs and projects, urging Newsom to drop the high-speed rail while citing soaring gas prices, steep rents, and a rail cost estimate near $231 billion.
- Following Saturday’s Fox segments recapping the exchange, President Trump posted on Truth Social calling Maher a “MORON” and urging Fox to stop giving him airtime.
- Fox calls the lawsuit a bid to silence free speech and vows a vigorous defense, highlighting a broader fight over media accountability and political style that could influence how outlets cover would-be 2028 contenders.