When California Governor Gavin Newsom last appeared on “Real Time with Bill Maher” in 2025, the famous host took pains to chastise the governor for what he felt was an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy in the Golden State, including having to pay for two roof inspections on his home after the wildfires that hit the Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
“Why do I need to be tested twice and have to pay for it too?!” exclaimed the comedian. “You were here last time. We talked about regulation. You said, ‘Oh, this is a whole new day… you said you were working on it.’
That’s very difficult. Maher is a big fan of Newsom, repeatedly urging him to run for president in 2028 and cheering on Trump’s trolling on social media. Plus, they have exactly the same hairstyle.
On Friday night, Newsom returned to HBO’s late-night show to promote his memoir, “Youth in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery.” Maher was a little tougher on his friends than before.
Mr. Maher began the sit-down chat by asking Mr. Newsom a question about how the temperature in American politics has risen in the wake of the recent assassination attempt on President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“What did (Trump) do the day after (the assassination attempt)? He talked about the beach photo and the indictment of one of his enemies,” Newsom said, referring to Trump’s pursuit of former FBI Director James Comey over an innocuous photo of shells he posted. “He’s done nothing to try to unite this country in any way, shape, form. To me, that’s the biggest reflection of this moment. We’re just living in a sewer right now because of Donald Trump.”
Maher then said, “But a lot of people would say you’re copying him… You’re the one who’s kind of copying his style with the trolling. You’re suing Fox now, I understand.”
“Fox should settle now or apologize for the defamation,” Newsom responded.
“Okay, but that sounds exactly like what he’s doing,” Maher said. ‘Sue the media?’ Since 2024, President Trump has forced major media companies, including Disney and Paramount, into huge settlements over frivolous lawsuits.
Mr. Newsom was undaunted and said of the lawsuit against Fox News, “Don’t defame me, don’t lie to me.”
“It certainly sounds like him,” Maher repeated.
