Network Morning Shows Promote Newsom Probe Spin of 'Trump Retribution Campaign'

Tim Graham
June 16th, 2026 4:36 PM

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ABC, CBS, and NBC all broadcast stories about Gov. Gavin Newsom rushing out to proclaim the federal government was investigating his family finances, heavily selling his "Trump retribution" narrative without going beyond vague references to what might deserve investigation. 

As usual, ABC's Good Morning America pounded on the DNC party line the hardest. In the show's opening moments, George Stephanopoulos: "Retribution campaign. California Governor Newsom says President Trump is using the Justice Department to go after him and his wife, accusing the president of carrying out a personal vendetta. What we're learning this morning."

Minutes later, George repeated: “The latest now in President Trump's retribution campaign. California Governor Gavin Newsom says the Justice Department is investigating him and his wife at the direction of President Trump.”

 

White House reporter Mary Bruce aided Newsom with three soundbites as he described the investigation as a "fishing expedition" and a Trump "hit job." Bruce concluded: "Meanwhile, Newsom is really leaning into this fight, saying in a fundraising email for his political group, quote, 'Mr. President, come after me. I'm not going anywhere and the country is watching.'"

On CBS Mornings, co-host Vladimir Duthiers also sounded like he was reading a press release: "One of President Trump's biggest critics says he is targeted for revenge. California Governor Gavin Newsom says he and his wife are being investigated by the Justice Department. He says there is no crime, just an effort to keep him quiet.”

Duthiers even suggested this probe could help Newsom, asking political analyst Robert Costa: "Are some in Washington saying this -- this DOJ investigation -- as potentially an advantage for the governor?" Costa suggested no, Team Newsom is "on edge," it creates a "variable" in his 2028 calculations.

 

NBC's Today offered a story by Kelly O'Donnell, featuring three Newsom soundbites as well as swagger from Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). The most annoying phrase that Trump was after "perceived adversaries," as if Trump could be wrong about their animus. 

O'DONNELL: Newsom places himself among other high-profile figures and perceived adversaries of the president investigated by the Justice Department, including former FBI director James Comey, New York attorney general Leticia James, and Democratic senator Adam Schiff.

SCHIFF: I think people are growing numb to this extraordinary abuse of the Justice Department.

Let's guess they wouldn't say Democrats "perceive" Trump to be adversarial to them. 

PS: NPR's Morning Edition also sounded like they were promoting Newsom in an almost three-minute story: 

GUY MARZORATI, KQED: Newsom's office says agents have asked questions on a wide range of topics and, they believe, subpoenaed bank records from the governor and his wife. Jennifer Siebel Newsom is a filmmaker and founder of a nonprofit that raises awareness about gender stereotypes.

NEWSOM: A public servant. A woman who's dedicated her life to supporting women and girls. Someone who has done nothing wrong other than having the temerity to advocate for what she believes in. If they can't intimidate me, they'll go after the mother of our children.

MARZORATI: Newsom has been a leading Democratic critic of President Donald Trump. He thinks the probe is political payback.

The audiences of these shows learned no specifics of what could be investigated, or that former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson pleaded guilty in federal court in May to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.

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