Gavin Newsom Critiques FCC Chairman’s Broadcaster Threat on Iran War Coverage, Calls It a Tactic of Dictators as He Hints at Presidential Aspirations – SXSW
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s recent criticism of broadcasters regarding their coverage of the Iran War during an interview at SXSW.
On Saturday, Carr threatened to revoke broadcaster licenses, urging news outlets to “course correct” in light of the President’s disapproval of their reporting on the conflict.
He stated on social media, “Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions – also known as the fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.”
Newsom characterized Carr’s message as reminiscent of “the dictators’ playbook.”
Watch on Deadline
“Did you guys just see what Brendan Carr just said? He said that he’s going to review all broadcast licenses unless they change their coverage of the war,” Newsom remarked. “Putin’s proud, Orbán’s proud, Erdoğan… that’s the dictators’ playbook… this mass consolidation of the media [is] just total disregard of antitrust laws, crony capitalism… and this imperial Presidency. It’s just so wrong. Maybe have a candlelight vigil. We’re up against propaganda networks problem. That’s the primetime line-up at Fox. It is illusion rules. Facts don’t matter.”
The interview was conducted by Vivian Tu, a former Wall Street trader who now hosts the financial podcast Networth & Chill.
During the SXSW discussion, Newsom hinted at a potential Presidential run, employing language that was notably stronger than in previous conversations.
When Tu referred to the session as their “first date” and inquired whether he could have a “second date” with supporters in November 2028, Newsom replied, referencing the iconic opening music of NBC’s The West Wing, “I do not believe we will have a fair and free election, as we know it, in 2028, if we don’t take back the House of Representatives in 2026. Nothing else matters.”
“It is the hard work that you did here in Texas in this primary where Democrats showed up in record [numbers]. Work that’s been done in 30 state races that we’ve flipped blue from red, the work that needs to be done between now and then to get Speaker [Hakeem] Jeffries that gavel. If we can do that? Then you and I can go on a second date.”
