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Newsom Slams FCC Chair's Threat Over Iran War Coverage
California Governor calls it a "Dictators' Playbook" as he teases 2028 presidential run
Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:04pm
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California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's threat to review broadcast licenses over their coverage of the Iran war, calling it a "dictators' playbook" and warning that the U.S. may not have a "fair and free election" in 2028 if Democrats don't retake the House in 2026. Newsom also hinted at a potential 2028 presidential run during an interview at SXSW.
Why it matters
Newsom's comments highlight growing concerns about government overreach and threats to press freedom, as well as the high stakes of the 2026 midterm elections for the future of American democracy. His tease of a 2028 presidential run also signals the potential for a high-profile challenge to the incumbent administration.
The details
In a weekend social media post, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to review the licenses of broadcasters if they did not "course correct" their coverage of the Iran war, which the president had criticized. In an interview at SXSW, Newsom slammed Carr's comments as straight out of the "dictators' playbook," warning of "mass consolidation of the media" and an "imperial Presidency." Newsom also used the interview to tease a potential 2028 presidential run, saying that Democrats must retake the House in 2026 in order to ensure a "fair and free election" in 2028.
- On Saturday, Carr threatened broadcaster licenses and warned that news outlets should 'course correct' before their renewals come up.
- Newsom made the comments in an interview at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
The players
Gavin Newsom
The Governor of California who strongly criticized FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's threat to review broadcast licenses over their Iran war coverage.
Brendan Carr
The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission who threatened to review the licenses of broadcasters if they did not "course correct" their coverage of the Iran war.
Vivian Tu
A former Wall Street trader turned finance expert who hosts the financial podcast Networth & Chill and interviewed Newsom at SXSW.
What they’re saying
“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. 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.”
— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (SXSW interview)
“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.”
— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (SXSW interview)
What’s next
The FCC will likely review the broadcast license renewals of news outlets that have been critical of the administration's handling of the Iran war.
The takeaway
Newsom's strong rebuke of the FCC chair's threat highlights the growing concerns about government overreach and the erosion of press freedoms, as well as the high stakes of the 2026 midterm elections for the future of American democracy.
