California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) offered pointed criticism of Fox News and other conservative media outlets in an article published Monday, saying Democrats need to do a better job of counteracting the messaging being promoted on them.
Newsom described Fox News as a “24/7 doom loop” and “quite literally bullshit and misinformation” in an interview with Semafor. That, he said, sparks an important question ahead of coming elections: “What do we do as Democrats to infect that ecosystem with some reality checks? And it can’t be episodic — you’ve got to go on 24/7.”
Newsom recently agreed to participate in a “red vs. blue state” debate with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), which will air on Fox in late November and be moderated by Sean Hannity, one of the network’s leading hosts.
Newsom also sat with Hannity for an interview following the second Republican primary debate, which he attended as a surrogate for President Biden.
The Democrat, who has a noted relationship with several conservative media personalities and executives, offered a roving critique of various right-wing media pundits and shows during his conversation with Semafor.
He called Fox late night-turned-prime-time host Greg Gutfeld “a good, conservative, comedic and insightful voice” who was “unfortunately falling into that trap” of demonization and personalization. He said he “liked” Fox host Jesse Watters, whom he knows “well,” but criticized his coverage of the assault of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) husband Paul last year.
He also defended the routine appearances he has made on Fox, the top-rated cable news channel, and on other conservative channels, acknowledging the large audience those outlets collectively command.
“There are a lot of good folks that are watching, honestly, a lot of persuadable folks, I really believe that, not just the core base,” Newsom said. “There are a lot of independents still watching Fox. And there are plenty of Democrats still watching Fox. I talk to them all the time, or they bring up as if I’m like, ‘Wow, you’re watching Fox?’”
Updated: 1:46 p.m.