California Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated his ongoing battle with Fox News, this time taking direct aim at late-night host Greg Gutfeld. In a fiery all-caps post on X, Newsom issued what he described as a “final warning,” demanding that the network suspend Gutfeld for allegedly fabricating stories and relying on cheap gimmicks to carry his show. He mocked the host by saying Gutfeld “needs a fake laugh track” and accused him of being “easily triggered” whenever his co-host Jessica Tarlov challenges him on-air. Newsom’s pointed remarks added new fuel to the debate over the state of political satire and the role of late-night television in today’s polarized media environment.

The governor did not stop with insults. He went further, suggesting that if Fox fails to act, he would pressure federal regulators to intervene. “Fox do the right thing or I will make the FCC take care of you. Final warning,” his post declared. The language struck some as unusually combative, even for Newsom, who has become one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent media critics. His suggestion of FCC involvement immediately raised questions about freedom of speech, government overreach, and whether such threats could be enforced. The post went viral within minutes, with supporters applauding his toughness and critics accusing him of trying to silence a political opponent.

Greg Gutfeld, often described by admirers as the “King of Late Night,” is no stranger to controversy. As the host of Gutfeld! and co-host of The Five, he has built a career on sharp satire, libertarian humor, and a willingness to push the boundaries of political discourse. His late-night program has been one of Fox’s most successful ventures in recent years, carving out a space in a genre long dominated by liberal voices. To his audience, Gutfeld’s irreverence is refreshing and bold; to his detractors, it is inflammatory and misleading. Newsom’s attack comes at a moment when his influence is at its peak, making the call for suspension even more explosive.

The timing of Newsom’s comments is significant. They arrived just days after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following backlash over Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel accused the MAGA movement of politicizing the murder of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, comments that ignited fierce debate and forced ABC to take the show off air temporarily. That decision drew criticism from free speech advocates who warned that networks are caving to political pressure at the expense of open dialogue. Against this backdrop, Newsom’s demand that Fox punish Gutfeld struck many observers as part of a larger trend in which late-night comedy is becoming a battleground for political disputes.

Adding another layer to the changing late-night landscape, CBS has announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will come to an end in May 2026. While the network officially cited financial concerns for the decision, Colbert’s ratings remain strong, leading to speculation that the move was influenced by Paramount’s legal settlement with Donald Trump and its planned merger with Skydance Media. The corporate backdrop highlights how business interests, politics, and media content are increasingly intertwined. For critics of Newsom, his threat to involve the FCC in policing Gutfeld’s show looked less like a defense of truth and more like another example of political leaders attempting to shape media narratives to their advantage.

Newsom’s post also reflects a growing willingness among politicians to directly challenge television hosts who command significant cultural influence. Gutfeld’s sharp critiques of Democratic leaders, including the governor himself, have made him a frequent target of backlash. But until now, such disputes have largely remained rhetorical battles. By explicitly warning Fox News and threatening regulatory involvement, Newsom escalated the confrontation to a new level. Whether the FCC would or could act on such a demand is doubtful, but the symbolism of the governor’s words underscored the intensity of the conflict.

Ultimately, the clash between Newsom and Gutfeld is emblematic of the broader war over media, politics, and public opinion. On one side are critics who argue that hosts like Gutfeld spread misinformation under the guise of comedy; on the other are defenders who see him as a counterbalance to a media landscape they view as dominated by liberal perspectives. As networks like ABC and CBS grapple with controversies and shifting priorities, Fox’s handling of Gutfeld will be watched closely. For now, Newsom’s “final warning” is both a political statement and a cultural flashpoint, raising profound questions about the boundaries of satire, the responsibilities of networks, and the limits of free expression in an era when late-night television has become inseparable from the nation’s political battles.