Judge Blocks California Online Video Law

Well, well, well — the First Amendment just delivered a little reality check to California’s favorite authoritarian, Gavin Newsom, and it came in the form of a smackdown from a federal judge who still remembers what the Constitution actually says.

In a sharp rebuke to Newsom and his crew of speech-policing crusaders, U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez just blocked a new California law aimed at cracking down on so-called “deepfake” political videos — and you can bet the ruling sent shockwaves through Sacramento’s censorship squad.

Let’s rewind for a second. The law, signed by Newsom just two weeks ago, was a rushed attempt to clamp down on AI-generated media ahead of Election Day. But in typical California fashion, it was drafted with all the precision of a sledgehammer and none of the foresight of, well, a functioning democracy. The law didn’t just target malicious deception — it went after satire, humor, and political parody. You know, the things America is built on.

And when conservative commentator Chris Kohls — known online as “Mr Reagan” — posted a parody Harris campaign ad that poked fun at identity politics (and happened to go mega-viral after Elon Musk reposted it), the Newsom machine went into meltdown mode. Newsom called it dangerous, vowed to outlaw it, and then — poof! — the law appeared. That’s not legislating. That’s retaliation.

But Judge Mendez wasn’t having it. He called the law a “blunt tool” that “hinders humorous expression” and violates the First Amendment. He rightly pointed out that satire and parody — even edgy, politically incorrect parody — are protected speech. Not optional. Protected.

The court allowed one narrow provision to stand — a mild disclosure requirement for audio-only deepfakes — but nuked the rest of the law for being overreaching and unconstitutional. The verdict? Satire lives. Censorship loses.

Kohls’ legal team was thrilled, and Musk couldn’t resist taking a victory lap, posting:

“California’s unconstitutional law infringing on your freedom of speech has been blocked by the court. Yay!”

And honestly? He’s right to celebrate. This case isn’t just about one video. It’s about the left’s growing obsession with controlling political speech — especially anything that makes them look bad. Newsom wants to be president one day, and this kind of anti-satire crusade is exactly the kind of thing voters will remember.

Let’s be clear here: deepfakes are a legitimate concern when used maliciously to deceive voters. But that’s not what this was. This was a parody ad mocking Kamala Harris. It didn’t cause panic in the streets. It didn’t suppress votes. It got laughed at, then watched 52 million times.

What Newsom and his defenders don’t get — or don’t care to get — is that freedom of speech isn’t supposed to be convenient. It’s not limited to what Gavin thinks is funny. It exists especially to protect political dissent, uncomfortable truths, and yes — even dumb jokes that go viral.

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