{"id":53528,"date":"2026-05-02T05:13:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T05:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/53528\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T05:13:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T05:13:09","slug":"gavin-newsom-grilled-by-bill-maher-over-his-biggest-failures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/53528\/","title":{"rendered":"Gavin Newsom grilled by Bill Maher over his biggest failures"},"content":{"rendered":"

California Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a> walked into friendly territory \u2014 and still got hammered.<\/p>\n

During a Friday night appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, the Democrat was supposed to plug his memoir and trade political jabs<\/a>. Instead, host Bill Maher put Newsom on the spot over the very issues dogging his leadership in the state.<\/p>\n

Maher, who\u2019s previously encouraged Newsom to run for president, didn\u2019t hold back, especially when it came to California\u2019s long-troubled high-speed rail project<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI say this as a friend, you got to let that train go!\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, host Bill Maher put Newsom on the spot over the very issues dogging his leadership in the state<\/p>\n

Bill Maher put Newsom on the spot over the very issues dogging his leadership in the state.<\/p>\n

The blunt advice came as Maher ticked through the Golden State\u2019s mounting problems \u2014 sky-high gas prices, crushing rents and a laundry list of economic complaints that critics say define Newsom\u2019s tenure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other side, what they are going to say though is, but have you seen the stats from California?\u201d Maher pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood! Fourth largest economy. Let\u2019s go!\u201d Newsom fired back.<\/p>\n

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Maher wasn\u2019t buying it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026 are they going to say good about gas prices?\u201d he replied. \u201cAre they going to say good about how high their rents are? So many people live\u2026I mean there\u2019s a whole litany.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then came the kicker \u2014 the state\u2019s infamous rail project, now carrying a jaw-dropping price tag.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean the train! Gavin, you got to get rid of the train!\u201d Maher said. \u201cI say this as a friend, you got to let that train go! Let the train go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood! Fourth largest economy. Let\u2019s go!\u201d Newsom fired back.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s up to $231 billion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The moment appeared to catch Newsom off guard, his expression shifting as the criticism landed.<\/p>\n

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The exchange touched on a growing political vulnerability for the governor, who has spent years touting California as a model for the nation \u2014 even as residents grapple with rising costs and stalled infrastructure promises.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere in the interview, Newsom pivoted to national politics, blasting President Donald Trump in the wake of a recent assassination attempt.<\/p>\n

But Maher again drew a sharp contrast, suggesting Newsom\u2019s own combative style mirrors the president\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not doing anything to try to unite this country in any way, shape, or form. To me, that\u2019s the biggest reflection of this moment, just the sewer we\u2019re now living in because of Donald Trump,\u201d Newsom said.<\/p>\n

But Maher again drew a sharp contrast, suggesting Newsom\u2019s own combative style mirrors the president\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut many people would say that you are imitating him\u2026 You are the one who kind of imitates his style with the trolling,\u201d Maher said, pointing to Newsom\u2019s legal threats against Fox News.<\/p>\n

\u201cFox better look to settle right now or apologize for defamation,\u201d Newsom said in response.<\/p>\n

\u201cOK but that sounds exactly like what he does,\u201d Maher replied. \u201cSuing media?\u201d<\/p>\n

Newsom didn\u2019t budge: \u201cWell, don\u2019t defame, don\u2019t lie.\u201d<\/p>\n

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