California Governor Gavin Newsom has made startling claims about a private telephone conversation with former President Donald Trump during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The governor was promoting his new memoir, 'Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery', when he recounted the alleged exchange.
The Controversial Call
Newsom stated that Trump contacted him on the eve of deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles in June 2025. According to the governor, the former president initiated the call to discuss the derogatory nickname "Newscum" that had been circulating among Trump's supporters.
"He asked me, 'What do you think of Newscum?'" Newsom revealed during the interview, describing the tone as surprisingly casual given the serious context of the impending military deployment.
MAGA Hat Sales Inquiry
During the same conversation, Trump allegedly posed an unusual question to the California governor. "He wanted me to guess how many MAGA hats had been sold the previous week," Newsom told Kimmel and the studio audience. This query reportedly came as Los Angeles was preparing for potential civil unrest that would necessitate National Guard intervention.
Melania Trump Incident
Newsom also recounted a separate incident involving the former first lady. According to his account, Trump claimed that Melania Trump was "upset" by critical remarks Newsom had made about the former president in previous public statements.
Jimmy Kimmel responded with characteristic humor, suggesting that Melania Trump likely wrote the critical comments herself, drawing laughter from the audience. The late-night host has frequently included the Trumps in his comedy segments throughout his broadcasting career.
Satirical Award Presentation
In keeping with the program's comedic tone, Kimmel presented Newsom with a satirical award during the segment. The mock honor was presented as a rival to any potential recognition Trump might receive, adding a layer of political theater to the interview.
The governor's appearance served dual purposes: promoting his literary work while sharing previously undisclosed details about his interactions with one of America's most controversial political figures. These revelations come at a time when both men remain influential voices in their respective political spheres, with Newsom frequently mentioned as a potential future presidential candidate and Trump maintaining his status as the Republican Party's dominant figure.
