California Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Wednesday night, where he discussed President Trump, the 2026 midterm elections and his own political ambitions. He also acknowledged that even his children are eager for him to step away from politics.
The wide-ranging interview featured candid family anecdotes, a historical miscalculation and plenty of jokes about the governor’s famously heavily styled hair.
Asked by Kimmel—who also helped launch former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s unsuccessful campaign for governor—Newsom said his 17-year-old daughter is counting down the days until his term ends in January.
“She has a calendar and she pulls every single day to her liberation day,” Newsom said, describing it as freedom from “the tyranny of her father who’s destroyed her life because he’s in politics.”
Still, eight years in the governor’s office may not mark the end of Newsom’s political career. He continues to leave the door open to a 2028 presidential bid.
“I ain’t screwing this one up, man,” he told Kimmel.
The Democrat also addressed Vice President Kamala Harris, saying he would not challenge her for the Democratic presidential nomination.
“She was our nominee just months—it was 18 months or so ago,” Newsom said.
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“Was it really 18 months ago? Oh my God,” Kimmel replied.
Harris became the Democratic nominee in August 2024—nearly 27 months earlier—and went on to lose the 2024 presidential election to Trump 23 months ago.
Kimmel has also been embroiled in an escalating dispute with Trump. The comedian’s show was suspended after remarks he made following the killing of Charlie Kirk.
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Trump had called for Kimmel to be fired in April over a joke about Melania Trump, as the Federal Communications Commission reviewed ABC’s broadcast licenses.
Newsom also entertained the idea of roaming Hollywood Boulevard as Spider-Man on Halloween after Kimmel suggested the governor’s 10-year-old son might enjoy seeing him in the superhero costume.
“I might be on Hollywood Boulevard … rambling to myself,” Newsom said.
The conversation then produced a ready-made punchline when Kimmel asked whether Trump had ever commented on Newsom’s physique.
“He does have a bit of a fixation with—forgive me—people’s asses,” Newsom said, before adding, “The only ass I care about is the one we’re going to kick on Tuesday.”
Kimmel later shifted his attention to Newsom’s signature hairstyle.
After Newsom accused Trump of having his head “in the sand, soaked by oil” when it comes to climate change, Kimmel seized on the wording.
“When you say he’s got his head in the sand soaked with oil, is that how you do your hair each day?” Kimmel joked.
“I walked right into that,” Newsom acknowledged.
Kimmel followed with another crack about hair gel, drawing an exasperated “Jesus” from Newsom, who often references his Irish Catholic upbringing.
Despite the teasing, Kimmel closed the friendly interview by thanking Newsom for his service—and telling the governor to apologize to his children on behalf of the public.
