California Governor Gavin Newsom has sparked a heated debate online with a sharp message posted on X (formerly Twitter). On September 3, 2025, he directly accused Fox News of editing news to damage his reputation and benefit Donald Trump. The post has already gained more than 200,000 views, along with thousands of likes and reposts.
A Defamation Lawsuit Over Edited Phone Call
Newsom’s post was written in response to a video clip shared by a well-known digital editor who often posts political videos. His message read: “Literally suing Fox because they knowingly edited the news to paint me as a liar and help Donald Trump. But please — tell us more about how terrible editing a video is, Sean.”
Literally suing Fox because they knowingly edited the news to paint me as a liar and help Donald Trump.
But please — tell us more about how terrible editing a video is, Sean. https://t.co/lPTE6mMDK0
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 3, 2025
The sarcastic reference to “Sean” is widely understood to be aimed at Fox News host Sean Hannity. Newsom’s post quickly drew attention as both supporters and critics flooded the replies. Some praised him for standing up to media bias, while others accused him of dishonesty.
The post ties directly to Newsom’s $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News. The case was filed on June 27, 2025, and centers on coverage of a phone call between Newsom and President Donald Trump. According to the lawsuit, Fox News host Jesse Watters falsely claimed that Newsom lied about the call.
The legal filing argues that Fox knowingly edited or framed the narrative to make Newsom look dishonest while portraying Trump in a favorable light. The lawsuit also highlights how this was not a mistake but a deliberate attempt to shape public opinion.
The Video That Sparked Newsom’s Reaction
The clip that Newsom quoted was a 47-second video from Fox News’ Hannity show, featuring Senator Markwayne Mullin. The segment included a split-screen with Hannity on one side and Mullin speaking from Washington, D.C.
The chyron at the bottom of the screen read: “CBS Accused of Deceptively Editing Video of Kristi Noem” along with “Breaking News.” Throughout the clip, Mullin argued that CBS and other networks twist political interviews through selective editing. He compared CBS’s alleged editing of Vice President Kamala Harris’s interview with similar claims about Governor Kristi Noem.
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In the video, Mullin accused mainstream outlets of pushing a narrative rather than reporting facts. He also praised Fox News as a source of “real news” in contrast to its rivals. The clip ended mid-sentence as Mullin again criticized CBS over editing.
For Newsom, this video appeared to show what he considered hypocrisy. While Fox was airing criticism of CBS for editing political videos, he claims Fox was doing the very same thing with his phone call. His post highlighted that contrast, pointing out what he sees as a double standard in how media bias is discussed.
Social Media Buzz and Political Reactions
The post has quickly become one of the most talked-about political statements of the week on X. With lakhs of views, it has spread far beyond Newsom’s usual audience.
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Many commenters voiced support, praising him for challenging Fox News’ credibility and standing up to powerful media outlets. Others, however, criticized the lawsuit as politically motivated, calling Newsom a liar and questioning the strength of his claims.
The sharp tone of the post, combined with the lawsuit’s high dollar figure, has fueled a wave of online arguments. It has also kept media accountability and bias at the center of public debate, especially as the case against Fox moves forward.
