California Gov. Gavin Newsom found himself in an uncomfortable position during a wide-ranging interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, when the journalist abruptly shifted to a topic that has been circulating on social media: comparisons between the Democratic governor and Patrick Bateman, the Wall Street businessman-turned-serial killer from the 2000 film “American Psycho.”
The exchange began awkwardly when Karl suddenly asked what Newsom made of “all the Patrick Bateman talk” amid their broader conversation. The governor responded with a nervous laugh, starting to deflect before Karl held up printed pages of memes depicting Newsom as the fictitious character played by Christian Bale in the cult classic film. Karl told the politician that people were comparing him to the character from “American Psycho.”
A visibly flustered Newsom attempted to redirect, referencing President Donald Trump’s nickname for him, “Newscum,” but Karl pressed further, informing the governor that even his friends were making the comparison. Newsom appeared caught off guard, questioning whether his friends were really saying that before teasing that he would need to reevaluate his guest list.
The journalist then read aloud comments from an unnamed comedian who called Newsom “a literal comic book villain from central casting” with “Patrick Bateman vibes.” Karl added that the comedian suggested Newsom “definitely had someone killed or may have killed someone himself,” prompting an uncomfortable chuckle from the governor.
Recovering his composure, Newsom acknowledged he was glad to still have some humor left before adopting a more serious tone. He characterized politics as a rough business, particularly for those willing to fight. “I have no problem being out there with the arrows in my back, as long as it gives some space for people to run over me and move forward,” Newsom told Karl.
The uncomfortable topic resurfaced later in the interview when Karl asked about the biggest misconception people have about Newsom. The governor gestured to the printed memes, referencing the Bateman comparisons and his appearance. He indicated that people see his looks and hair and form certain beliefs about him based on those superficial observations.
When Karl sought clarification about whether Newsom was referring to being perceived as a lightweight, the governor expressed concern that people think he has more style than substance. He defended his record, saying he was proud of the policy work his administration had accomplished and that he would put it up against anyone else’s, clarifying that the statement was not meant to be braggadocious.
The interview comes as Newsom has been navigating increased national attention and speculation about his political future. In June 2025, the governor publicly acknowledged for the first time that running for president was a possibility, telling the Wall Street Journal that while he was not actively thinking about running, it was a path he could see unfold.
This marked a significant shift from his previous stance. After defeating a recall attempt in 2021, Newsom had repeatedly insisted he had no interest in seeking the White House, at one point telling the San Francisco Chronicle during his reelection campaign that he had “sub-zero interest” in being commander in chief.
Newsom’s national profile has risen considerably in recent years, beginning with his early handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He has since embarked on national tours to campaign for fellow Democrats, proposed a constitutional amendment to restrict gun ownership, debated Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Fox News, and launched a podcast. The book “Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House” reported that Newsom was among prominent Democrats who contacted campaign operatives last summer to explore their chances if President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.
In early May 2025, Newsom told the video podcast Next Up with Mark Halperin that his decision was “to be determined,” acknowledging he might run but needed a compelling vision that distinguished him from other candidates. On his own podcast last week, when guest Dr. Phil asked whether he was running for president in 2028, Newsom did not rule it out.
A poll released in May 2025 by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times found that more than half of California voters believe Newsom is more focused on boosting his presidential prospects than governing the state and solving its problems.
Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, indicated that if Newsom does ultimately enter the presidential race, voters are unlikely to care about his pivot from past pledges, noting that broken promises seem to matter little in politics anymore. He added that the assumption for any California governor is that they are running for president.