On Friday, Bill Maher was in a rare mood, criticizing California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who was not expecting this question from the comedian. The host of Real Time brought up the Golden State’s failure to build a high-speed rail system. You can tell by Newsom’s facial expression that he was not pleased. Newsom is considered a leading Democratic contender for president in 2028. Overton clipped and transcribed the exchange.
Bill Maher just ended Gavin Newsom’s political career in 46 seconds pic.twitter.com/QowF7wGQ5r
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) May 2, 2026
You can see the pain in his eyes right after Maher drop-kicked him with that train comment. pic.twitter.com/yn65HzYhfQ
— Overton (@overton_news) May 2, 2026
MAHER: “The other side, what they are going to say though is, but have you seen the stats from California?”
NEWSOM: “Good! One of the largest economies. Let’s go!”
MAHER: “Well… are they going to say good about gas prices?”
“Are they going to say good about how high their rents are?”
“So many people live…I mean there’s a whole litany.”
“I mean the train! Gavin, you got to get rid of the train!”
“I say this as a friend, you got to let that train go! Let the train go.”
“It’s up to $231 billion.”
Newsom was also confronted by Maher about how he’s basically trying to be the lefty version of Trump:
Bill Maher stops Gavin Newsom mid-rant and forces him to confront how he’s copying Trump’s style at every turn.
— Overton (@overton_news) May 2, 2026
The more Newsom tried to explain himself, the deeper he dug his own grave.
NEWSOM: “To me that’s the biggest reflection of this moment, is how…the…just the sewer… pic.twitter.com/4OgOgULYfY
This was not pretty for Newsom or his supporters.
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