Bold claim: Gavin Newsom’s high-profile chat with Trump on late-night TV reveals more about political theater than policy. If Newsom truly pursues the presidency, Josh Meyers may soon become the SNL stand-in you’ll see spoofing him to the edge of parody. Meyers, known for his occasional Newsom impressions and as the brother of SNL alum Seth Meyers, popped up unexpectedly on Jimmy Kimmel Live to deliver a sharp, humorous likeness of the California governor while the real Newsom watched along.
In true showman fashion, Meyers rolled onto the stage on a skateboard, dressed in a tailored suit with a white shirt and no tie, then quipped about an imaginary ribbon-cutting session at a shelter for non-binary chihuahuas. He handed Newsom a larger-than-life trophy saluting his efforts to “unite the people of Cali,” ranging from Riverside’s meth dealers to Glendale Galleria’s Armenian shoppers, and from chakra doulas and yoga themes to farmers market enthusiasts and gluten-sensitive rollerbladers.
The mock admiration was tongue-in-cheek: the imposter Newsom labeled the trophy as “plated with platinum ethically sourced from all my expired AMEX cards” and said it could hold “an entire magnum of this thick Sauv Blanc.” The real Newsom was on Kimmel to promote a serious project—his new memoir, Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery—an account some reviewers describe as grappling with his mix of “irritatingly slick and refreshingly resolute.”
During the interview, Newsom shared a surprising anecdote about a year-old phone call with President Trump that occurred just before the administration sent 700 Marines to Los Angeles. According to Newsom, the president showed little interest in discussing policy. The exchange allegedly went: “Hey Gav, what do you think about Newscum? It’s pretty original, right?” Newsom replied that while the phrase was original to him, it wasn’t new or clever—adding that an eighth-grade bully had used it in his youth.
In short, the segment blends political talk with comedy, offering a glimpse into how Newsom navigates national attention and the media glare that comes with a possible future bid for the presidency. It also highlights how satire and real-world politics often blur together on late-night stages, sparking discussion about authenticity, strategy, and the fine line between caricature and reality.
Thought-provoking question: when a potential presidential candidate becomes the subject of celebrity parody, does it help or hinder serious political discourse? Share your take in the comments.
