Dashboard/Gavin Newsom/Meet the Press interview
Interview · 2 Nov 2025

Meet the Press interview

Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

Broadcaster's transcript: NBC News: Meet the Press transcript. Retrieved 2 Oct 2026.

19 BS INDEX 0 100
Mostly straight talkProvisional
273 sentences · 12 checked claims · 24 questions
Answers questions
88%

24 questions rated. Answered = 1, Partly answered and Declined openly = ½, Dodged = 0.

Answered 18Partly answered 4Declined openly 2Dodged 0
KRISTEN WELKER
Yes, Steve, all eyes are going to be on New Jersey, that closer than expected race. Steve Kornacki, fascinating findings. Thank you so much. Well this week, I sat down with California Governor Gavin Newsom for a wide-ranging conversation and I started by asking him about the state of the Democratic Party. Do you believe the Democratic brand is damaged right now?
AnsweredAsked whether the Democratic brand is damaged. The reply says not now and gives reasons: the coming elections and a united message on health care.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
We're going to talk about each of those issues that you just mentioned, but it sounds like you're predicting a big night for Democrats on November 4th.
AnsweredAsked whether he predicts a big night for Democrats. The reply says yes and gives reasons, mainly the president's poll ratings and prices.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
Let's talk about the battle that you are waging here in California over Prop 50. For people who are watching, this would enable a redistricting effort here in the state to add additional Democratic seats. It comes after Republicans in Texas moved to redistrict to add up to five additional Republican seats there, at the direction of President Trump. Do you think that Prop 50 is going to pass on Tuesday, Governor?
AnsweredAsked whether Prop 50 will pass. The reply says he is deeply confident, cites early ballots, then turns to the redistricting push in other states that it responds to.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
What do you say to Governor Schwarzenegger who says, "The fight for Prop 50 is just a big scam"?
AnsweredAsked to respond to Schwarzenegger calling Prop 50 a scam. The reply takes his points in turn: the change is temporary, the maps are on the ballot and the commission stays.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
– including here in California. Do you trust the Justice Department to handle these cases?
AnsweredAsked whether he trusts the Justice Department with the troop deployment cases. The reply says absolutely not.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
You don't trust the Justice Department?
AnsweredA follow-up to the same question. The reply confirms it before the next question cuts in.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
– to handle these cases over troops?
AnsweredAsked whether he trusts the legal system with the troop cases. The reply says he has confidence in the lower courts but not in the Supreme Court's emergency orders, then explains the Posse Comitatus point.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
You have been one of the most outspoken Democratic voices against President Trump. And part of your tactics is to imitate some of what we see online from President Trump, that you mimic his all-cap posts, you send out similar memes. Do you run the risk of normalizing that behavior?
AnsweredAsked whether imitating the president's posts risks normalising them. The reply says the opposite: it was meant to hold up a mirror to them.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
It reminds me of something Michelle Obama said once, "When they go low, we go high." Is there still room for that mindset for Democrats?
AnsweredAsked whether 'when they go low, we go high' still has a place. The reply says he would like to go back to it but politics has changed.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
So no?
AnsweredA follow-up ('So no?'). The reply confirms that the approach has changed and explains why his communications shifted.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
I wanna talk to you about the polarization, that very issue, in this country. Because you have reached across the aisle. In fact, in your first episode of your podcast you invited conservative activist Charlie Kirk to join you for a conversation. He was, of course, assassinated in September. Why did you want to speak to Charlie Kirk?
AnsweredAsked why he invited Charlie Kirk onto his podcast. The reply explains: Kirk was effective at organising young voters and Democrats knew little about him.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
What role do leaders like yourself have in turning down the temperature?
AnsweredAsked what role leaders have in lowering the temperature. The reply says violence must be called out by all sides, with a personal account of the day Kirk was shot.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
– to serve another four years?
AnsweredAsked whether he had concerns about Biden's capacity to serve four more years. The reply says his meetings gave him no doubt, except the Los Angeles fundraiser and the debate, and spends much of its length on the administration's record.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
If it gave you pause after the debate why didn't you sound the alarm then?
AnsweredAsked why he did not raise the alarm after the debate. The reply says he did so privately and explains why he chose not to go public.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
Governor, did you legitimately believe that he was capable of serving as president until January of 2029?
Partly answeredAsked whether he believed Biden could serve until January 2029. The reply begins 'Yeah' but turns to his focus on defeating Trump and says nothing in his meetings suggested otherwise, without stating the belief directly.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
– about the mental acuity of President Biden, that they wish you'd sounded the alarm sooner, to give way for an open convention.
AnsweredAsked what he says to Americans who feel misled about Biden's acuity. The reply says he can speak only to his own meetings with Biden, which gave no such sign.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
Let's talk about former Vice President Kamala Harris. She says she lost because she only had 107 days to run, among some other factors. In your view, why do you think she lost the 2024 race?
Declined openlyAsked why Harris lost in 2024. The reply says it needs deeper analysis and that he is still reading other people's views.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
What do you think was at the top of the list, Governor?
Partly answeredAsked what was at the top of the list. The reply says he does not know yet and lists many possible factors without ranking them.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
Do you think if former President Biden had stayed in the race, given that you did stay with him till virtually the end, do you think he could've won?
Partly answeredAsked whether Biden could have won had he stayed in. The reply describes the headwinds (inflation, a wish for change) and says it would have been very challenging, without a yes or no.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
In her book, the former vice president writes that she scrambled to reach prominent Democrats hours after President Biden exited the race. And she said that you responded to her call, quote, by saying, "Gavin Newsom: ‘Hiking. Will call back.' He never did." Is that what happened?
AnsweredAsked whether Harris's account of his 'Hiking. Will call back' reply is accurate. The reply says yes and adds that he endorsed her minutes later.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
– at you in her book?
AnsweredAsked whether he felt Harris took a swipe at him in her book. The reply says he does not mind and thinks she was having fun.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
You've said, as we've discussed, you are considering a run for president. And you've said you'll make a decision about whether to run for president after the midterms. Governor, let me ask you, why do you want to be president?
Declined openlyAsked why he wants to be president. The reply says he has not decided to run and is focused on Prop 50, and that he will decide later.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
Understood. But if you're thinking about it, that why must be forming.
AnsweredAsked whether his reason for running must be forming. The reply says no.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person
KRISTEN WELKER
Well, if you decide to run, why would you want to do it?
Partly answeredAsked why he would run if he decided to. The reply sets out what any nominee should offer (repair and transformation, the future of work) rather than his own reasons.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

7 further exchange(s) not rated: procedural or ceremonial questions (a tribute, thanks or condolence that asks for nothing), or questions the speaker did not take.