Newsom Responds to Hannity's Criticism of California Policies and Social Media

Governor Newsom and Sean Hannity are publicly disagreeing. Hannity criticized California's taxes and Newsom's social media. Newsom fought back.
By Newsroom | Politics, USA |

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Fox News host Sean Hannity have engaged in a public exchange concerning Newsom's policies as governor and his online presence. The dispute centers on Hannity's criticisms of California's economic standing and Newsom's social media activity, with Newsom pushing back against these critiques. This back-and-forth highlights a broader political tension between the two figures and the media outlets they represent.

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Background of the Exchange

The recent public disagreements between Governor Gavin Newsom and Sean Hannity began around mid-August 2025. The core of the conflict appears to be Hannity's strong criticism of Newsom's governance in California.

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  • Hannity's Criticisms: Sean Hannity, a prominent host on Fox News, has publicly criticized Governor Newsom. His arguments often focus on specific aspects of California's policies and their perceived outcomes.

  • He questioned Newsom's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting state lockdowns while also pointing out exceptions for the governor's family.

  • Hannity has raised concerns about California's high state taxes, including gas and sales taxes.

  • He has also linked state policies to issues like the state's wildfires.

  • Hannity described Newsom's social media style, particularly his impersonations of Donald Trump, as "embarrassing" and a "performative confrontational style."

  • He suggested that Newsom's actions and policies were not representative of what America would support.

  • Newsom's Response: Governor Newsom has not remained silent in the face of these criticisms. He has directly addressed Hannity and other Fox News hosts, pushing back on their assessments.

  • Newsom has called out Hannity and other Fox News hosts for their support of Donald Trump, implying hypocrisy.

  • He has also responded to the critique of his social media presence, with one instance involving him telling Hannity, "Stop Calling Me Daddy."

  • Newsom has also implied that Hannity's criticisms were attempts to appeal to a specific political base.

Evidence of the Exchange

The public exchange between Newsom and Hannity has been documented across various media reports.

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  • Sean Hannity's Public Statements:

  • Hannity has been quoted as calling Newsom "Nutty Gavin Newsom" and criticizing his COVID-19 lockdowns and California's high tax rates.

  • He stated that Newsom's social media tactics "maybe wins you points with the loony, radical base in your party, but America is not going to vote for that record."

  • Hannity has asserted that Newsom is "letting your state suffer."

  • Gavin Newsom's Public Statements:

  • Newsom has directly addressed Hannity, saying, "Hey! Sean Hannity!" and questioning the hosts' support for Trump's actions.

  • He responded to critiques of his social media style by telling Hannity, "Stop Calling Me Daddy."

  • Newsom has implied a need for Fox News hosts to "do better."

Key Areas of Disagreement

The public commentary reveals several distinct points of contention between Governor Newsom and Sean Hannity.

He KNOWS He's Toast: Gavin Newsom Flips OUT on Sean Hannity in Curse-Filled Post About His Racist Gaffe - 4

Governance and State Policies

Hannity has presented a critical view of Newsom's governorship, focusing on economic and public health policies.

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  • Hannity's View:

  • Claims California has the highest gas and sales taxes in the country.

  • Suggests that state policies have negatively impacted California's natural resources and overall well-being.

  • Implicates state policies in contributing to issues like wildfires.

  • Newsom's Counter-Narrative: While not detailed in the provided summaries, Newsom's responses imply a defense of his policies and a redirection of criticism. He has publicly questioned the conduct of Fox News hosts.

Social Media Tactics and Political Style

A significant portion of the public exchange involves Newsom's use of social media and his political persona.

  • Hannity's View:

  • Characterizes Newsom's social media activity as "Trump-esque" and an "embarrassing" impersonation.

  • Labels Newsom's approach as a "performative confrontational style."

  • Newsom's View:

  • Directly engages with Hannity's critique, indicating he is aware of the commentary.

  • His response, "Stop Calling Me Daddy," suggests a dismissive stance towards Hannity's framing of his actions.

  • Newsom also appears to use these exchanges to highlight perceived hypocrisies in the Fox News hosts' political stances, particularly regarding Donald Trump.

Analysis of the Exchange

The public interaction between Governor Newsom and Sean Hannity serves as a point of political commentary and potential campaign messaging.

  • Hannity's Strategy: Hannity appears to be employing a strategy of highlighting perceived failures of Democratic leadership in a prominent state. By focusing on taxes, economic conditions, and the governor's public persona, he aims to discredit Newsom, potentially impacting perceptions of the Democratic party nationally, especially with an eye toward future presidential elections.

  • Newsom's Strategy: Newsom's responses indicate an effort to counter negative narratives and to turn criticisms back on his political opponents. By calling out Fox News hosts' support for Trump, he attempts to shift the focus and draw attention to perceived inconsistencies. His engagement with social media critiques suggests an awareness of his public image and a willingness to defend his communication style.

Conclusion

The public exchange between Governor Gavin Newsom and Sean Hannity highlights a clear division in political viewpoints and media commentary. Hannity has criticized Newsom's governance in California and his social media presence, framing them as detrimental. Newsom, in turn, has pushed back against these criticisms, questioning Hannity's own political stances and defending his approach. The evidence suggests a sustained dialogue where both figures are using the interaction for political positioning. The exact long-term implications of this public discourse remain to be seen, but it has established a clear point of contention between the two personalities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Sean Hannity say about Governor Newsom's policies?
Sean Hannity criticized California's high taxes, COVID-19 lockdowns, and wildfire policies. He also called Governor Newsom's social media style embarrassing.
Q: How did Governor Newsom respond to Sean Hannity's criticisms?
Governor Newsom pushed back against Hannity's comments. He questioned Hannity's support for Donald Trump and told him to 'Stop Calling Me Daddy' regarding his social media use.
Q: When did this public argument between Newsom and Hannity start?
The public disagreement between Governor Newsom and Sean Hannity began around mid-August 2025.
Q: What are the main points of disagreement between Newsom and Hannity?
They disagree on California's economy, state policies like taxes and COVID rules, and Governor Newsom's use of social media for political commentary.
Q: Why is this public exchange between Newsom and Hannity important?
This exchange shows a political debate between a Democratic governor and a conservative Fox News host. It highlights different views on California's issues and political communication styles.