California Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled the peculiar backstory of the nickname “Newscum,” a term first popularized by former President Donald Trump. The tale begins with an unexpected late-night phone call that would later fuel public verbal sparring between the two politicians.

During a revealing conversation on “The Rest Is Politics” podcast, Newsom recounted the odd encounter that unfolded one night in 2025. The call came in the wee hours, around 1:30 a.m. his time, leaving Newsom initially hesitant to pick up. Nevertheless, curiosity got the better of him after he listened to the voicemail left by none other than Trump.

Describing the interaction, Newsom recalled Trump asking, “What do you think of Newscum? The nickname Newscum.” Trump, in his characteristic style, then added, “Pretty original, right?” The conversation took an amusing turn as Newsom responded with a chuckle, informing the former President, “No, it’s not original. Mr. President, in eighth grade… they were calling me Newscum.”

This light-hearted exchange offers a glimpse into the sometimes-unexpected nature of political rivalries and the colorful personalities involved. The anecdote serves as a reminder of how even the highest levels of politics can touch on the personal, with childhood taunts finding their way into the political arena.

“What do you think of Newscum? The nickname Newscum. He calls me Newscum, worst governor. And he goes, pretty original, right?”

Newsom said he chuckled and replied, “I said, no, it’s not original. I said, Mr. President, in eighth grade…they were calling me Newscum.”

The nickname, a crude fusion of Newsom’s last name with a derogatory twist, quickly became a recurring jab from Trump, who has often criticized Newsom for his policies and leadership.

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