Full Breakdown
Trump Targets Bill Maher and Gavin Newsom in Truth Social Rant
5/4/2026, 1:40:15 PM
The Social Media Attack
President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform on Sunday to criticize comedian-political commentator Bill Maher and California Governor Gavin Newsom. In a multi-paragraph post, Trump claimed Maher was “eaten up” by Newsom’s remarks about California’s performance, called Maher’s ratings “SUCK,” and accused Fox News of giving Maher undue relevance. He also described Newsom as a “Low IQ” individual who had “taken Bill Maher ‘over the coals.’” The post linked directly to Maher’s recent episode of *Real Time with Bill Maher*, where Maher accused Newsom of imitating Trump’s social-media style.
Background: Ongoing Feuds and Legal Battles
Trump’s antagonism toward Maher dates back several years, with the host frequently mocking the former president’s rhetoric. Maher’s latest episode featured a segment in which he labeled Newsom’s all-caps posts as a mirror of Trump’s own trolling. Separately, Newsom has pursued a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News for allegedly misrepresenting a phone call with Trump; the case advanced on Thursday when a court ruled in Newsom’s favor.
Key Players
- Donald Trump – Former U.S. president, active on Truth Social.
- Bill Maher – Host of HBO’s *Real Time*, frequent critic of Trump.
- Gavin Newsom – Governor of California, Democratic 2028 presidential hopeful.
- Fox News – Cable news network named in Newsom’s lawsuit.
Timeline of the Exchange
- Friday – Newsom appears on *Real Time*; Maher accuses him of imitating Trump.
- Saturday – Trump posts a lengthy critique of Maher, condemning Fox’s coverage.
- Sunday – Trump adds a follow-up post that includes Newsom in the criticism.
- Thursday – Court rules in Newsom’s favor in the Fox News defamation case.
Data & Legal Stakes
- Newsom’s lawsuit seeks $787 million in damages from Fox News.
- No quantitative data on Maher’s ratings were provided; Trump’s claim that they “suck” remains unverified.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump’s Truth Social messages framed Maher as a low-rated figure undeserving of conservative platforming and portrayed Newsom as incompetent. Maher’s on-air remarks suggested Newsom deliberately mirrors Trump’s rhetorical tactics. Newsom, after the court ruling, posted on X that he looks “forward to discovery” in the ongoing case against Fox News. Representatives for Maher and Newsom did not respond to requests for comment.
Criticism & Opposition
The lack of immediate responses from Maher’s and Newsom’s teams leaves their perspectives on Trump’s accusations undocumented. Additionally, Trump’s characterization of Maher’s ratings and Newsom’s intelligence is presented without supporting evidence, highlighting a gap between claim and verification.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- No independent verification of Maher’s viewership numbers was offered.
- No official comment from Maher or Newsom regarding Trump’s specific language.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Bill Maher got” by Gavin Newscum when Newscum said how well California is doing, A COMPLETE LIE, and Bill Maher never challenged him, not even a little bit.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)
- “Also, Bill Maher’s ”Ratings" SUCK!” SUCK!” — Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)
- “I hate seeing Fox, and other Conservative Outlets, constantly making Low Rated Bill Maher ‘relevant’ as it pertains to the Republican Party, and beyond,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)
- “I happened to watch Gavin Newscum, an admittedly Low IQ person, who said he can’t read a speech, is dumb, and essentially, incompetent, and he took Bill Maher ‘over the coals,’” — Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)
- “Among all the people who may or may not be running, you are the one who kind of imitates his style with the trolling—you’re suing Fox now, I understand,” — Bill Maher, Host of *Real Time*
- “Looking forward to discovery,” — Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (X)
What’s Next
The court’s decision propels Newsom’s case toward the discovery phase, potentially exposing further communications between Fox News and the governor. Meanwhile, Trump’s Truth Social feed suggests the feud with Maher may continue, with future posts likely to reference ongoing political disputes.
