California Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared visibly flustered during a Wednesday, October 29, 2025 interview when confronted about social media comparisons between himself and Patrick Bateman, the fictional Wall Street serial killer from the 2000 film “American Psycho.”
The awkward exchange unfolded during a wide-ranging conversation with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, who abruptly shifted topics to ask the Democratic governor about the unflattering comparison that has circulated on social media.
Karl held up printed pages of memes depicting Newsom as the character played by Christian Bale and informed the politician that people were likening him to the fictional businessman-turned-murderer. Newsom began his response with what appeared to be a nervous laugh before mentioning President Donald Trump’s derogatory nickname for him, “Newscum.”
The journalist pressed further, noting that even Newsom’s friends have made the comparison about a physical resemblance. Visibly caught off guard, the California governor questioned whether this was true before joking that he would need to reevaluate his guest list.
Karl then escalated the uncomfortable moment by reading aloud remarks from an unnamed comedian who called Newsom “a literal comic book villain from central casting” with “Patrick Bateman vibes.” The journalist added that the comedian suggested Newsom “definitely had someone killed or may have killed someone himself,” prompting a chuckle from the governor.
After noting he was glad to still have some humor left, Newsom adopted a more serious tone to discuss the challenges of political life. “This is a rough business. Particularly if you’re willing to fight. And I just hope we have more fighters,” he stated, adding that he had no problem being out there with arrows in his back if it gave space for others to move forward.
The Patrick Bateman topic resurfaced later when Karl asked about the biggest misconception surrounding Newsom. The governor gestured to the printed memes while discussing how his appearance affects public perception. He mentioned the hair and overall look, suggesting these superficial aspects lead people to believe certain things about him.
Karl sought clarification on whether Newsom meant people considered him a lightweight. The governor indicated he believed some viewed him as having more style than substance, though he defended his policy record. Newsom said he put his policy-making work up against anyone’s and expressed pride in what his administration had accomplished, insisting the comment was not meant to be boastful.
The interview comes as Newsom faces increasing scrutiny over his political ambitions. More than half of California voters believe the governor focuses more on boosting presidential prospects than governing the state and addressing its problems, according to a poll released in May 2025 by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times.
Newsom has recently shifted his stance on seeking higher office after years of firm denials. He told the Wall Street Journal in June 2025 that while he was not currently thinking about running for president, he could see such a path unfold if the moment felt right. This marked a departure from earlier statements in which he insisted he had no interest whatsoever in the White House.
Following a recall attempt in 2021, Newsom told NBC he had never considered running for president and had no interest in the position because of the stress involved. During his 2022 reelection campaign, he described his interest level as “sub-zero” and said the prospect was not even on his radar.
The governor’s national profile has risen significantly since his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He has toured red states to campaign for fellow Democrats, proposed a constitutional amendment to restrict gun ownership, debated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Fox News and launched a podcast. Reports from last summer indicated Newsom contacted campaign operatives to explore his chances if President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.
Newsom is clearly keeping the door open for a 2028 bid: he has acknowledged he’ll give it “serious thought,” but he has not committed to running. The decision point he consistently mentions is after the 2026 midterms.
