It seems that a week seldom passes without California Governor Gavin Newsom finding himself in a tangle of contradictions while trying to make a public splash. His latest move involves blocking a proposed law aimed at safeguarding young users from the influence of artificial intelligence, highlighting once more what some perceive as his misplaced priorities.
Not long ago, Newsom was a vocal advocate for legislation aimed at regulating AI, especially in its application towards public figures. The bill sought to curb the use of AI-generated content for mockery or insults, specifically targeting what it labeled as “deceptive” political media.
READ MORE: CA Gov. Newsom Signs Ban Against Political Deepfakes; Elon Musk Mercilessly Trolls Him With… Deepfakes
This legislation was worded in a manner that could hold individuals legally accountable, even if they shared such content to highlight its fraudulent nature. Newsom was notably proud of enacting this into law.
However, this action backfired, igniting a phenomenon reminiscent of The Streisand Effect. Social media quickly became a hotbed for AI-generated satire in defiance of the law. Prompt legal challenges emerged, including a lawsuit involving The Babylon Bee, leading to a swift court injunction within weeks.
You can no longer knowingly distribute an ad or other election communications that contain materially deceptive content — including deepfakes. https://t.co/VU4b8RBf6N
Despite the California legislature approving a suite of AI-focused bills, Newsom chose to veto a specific measure designed to protect minors from AI chat-bots, raising concerns about potential risks to unsuspecting young users.
The first thing to take place was a creator version of The Streisand Effect, as people flocked to social media to post AI in a wave of mockery. Unsurprisingly, this law instigated court action to stem this violation of free expression. The Babylon Bee was part of a suit brought against the state, and in short order, a court injunction was handed down in just a matter of weeks.
Then Newsom took hypocrisy to new levels. As his social media account was becoming hyper-leveraged – and celebrated in the press for its edginess – we saw that suddenly he had no issue with using the tech to slam his political foes. But when it comes to double standards on the topic, he displayed it in bold fashion.
The California legislature passed a series of AI-centered bills and sent them to the governor’s desk. However, when signing a number of those measures into law, he vetoed the bill that concerned protecting minors from the use of AI chat-bots, which could deliver dangers for those less-than-savvy youths.
In explaining his motivation for this veto, Newsom was suddenly showing concern for long-term effects. Despite previously seeking specific bans on the tech, this week, according to a statement by Newsom, he worries the bill “imposes such broad restrictions on the use of conversational AI tools that it may unintentionally lead to a total ban on the use of these products by minors.”
So we are looking at a governor delivering the rationale that AI that insults political figures was uncalled for and in need of censorship, but a technology that could deliver severe adverse effects on kids should not be limited. It was clear that the governor was looking over his shoulder at the influence coming from Silicon Valley. The San Francisco Gate directly alluded to Newsom buckling under “a massive lobbying push from tech companies.”
This move was opposed by a large Hollywood contingent. In an open letter to the Governor, encouraging him to make this bill a law, over 125 Hollywood figures signed their name, pushing for passage. Following the veto, one actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, did not hold back on directing his scorn at Newsom. He slammed the governor over his cowardice on display.
Governor @GavinNewsom failed to stand up to Silicon Valley and put our kids in harm’s way. pic.twitter.com/fnddMVUMea
— Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) October 15, 2025
-
“He vetoed a good bill that really would have held Big Tech’s feet to the fire and made them change their products to be better for our kids. Mr. Newsom was too scared to sign it. What was he scared of, you ask? Big Tech: Google, Meta, OpenAI launched these huge Super PACs worth hundreds of millions of dollars aimed at attacking candidates who might regulate AI. I guess Mr. Newsom was scared that if those hundreds of millions of dollars were directed at attacking him it might hurt his chances at winning President in a few years when he runs.”
Sounds quite valid. How else would you describe the actions of a governor who previously worried about using AI to pick on him or his political acolytes, but blocks legislation that would actually protect kids from far worse? These are the actions of a pure political animal.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
