Daily News 19

Tag: Gavin Newsom

  • Gov. Gavin Newsom Dines with Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Tobey Maguire

    Gov. Gavin Newsom Dines with Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Tobey Maguire

    Key Highlights

    • Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Tobey Maguire dined with California Governor Gavin Newsom at Nobu Malibu.
    • The gathering brought together three Academy Award-winning actors and the state’s top elected official at the celebrity-favored Japanese restaurant.
    • Photographs from the evening confirm the high-profile dinner, marking a notable intersection of Hollywood and California politics.

    Hollywood Heavyweights Assemble at Nobu Malibu

    In a scene that could rival any ensemble cast, three of American cinema’s most recognizable leading men — Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Tobey Maguire — were photographed sharing a meal with California Governor Gavin Newsom at Nobu Malibu. The oceanfront location, long a magnet for A-list clientele, played host to what amounts to a summit of Hollywood royalty and political power.

    DiCaprio, a five-time Oscar nominee who won Best Actor for The Revenant, has maintained a decades-long friendship with Maguire dating back to their shared childhood auditions in Los Angeles. De Niro, a two-time Academy Award winner and co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, rounds out a trio whose combined filmographies read as a syllabus of modern American cinema. Their convergence with Newsom, currently serving his second term as California’s 40th governor, underscores the enduring symbiosis between the state’s entertainment industry and its political leadership.

    A Venue Steeped in Celebrity History

    Nobu Malibu, perched above the Pacific Coast Highway with panoramic ocean views, has functioned as an informal clubhouse for the entertainment elite since its 1999 opening. The restaurant, part of the global empire co-founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro, and producer Meir Teper, carries particular resonance for De Niro himself. His equity stake in the Nobu Hospitality group makes the Malibu outpost something of a home court for the Raging Bull star.

    The dinner occurs against a backdrop of heightened visibility for all parties. DiCaprio continues to leverage his platform for climate advocacy through the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, while Newsom navigates a second term marked by budget deficits, housing policy battles, and persistent speculation regarding national ambitions. Maguire, lower-profile in recent years following his Spider-Man trilogy and producing work on films like Babylon and Pawn Sacrifice, re-emerges in the public eye alongside his longtime collaborator.

    Why This Matters

    The gathering illustrates the persistent cultural and economic gravity of the Hollywood–Sacramento axis. California’s film tax credit program, labor relations with entertainment unions, and climate regulations all directly impact an industry that contributes tens of billions annually to the state economy. Newsom’s engagement with high-profile creatives signals continued prioritization of that relationship, even amid fiscal pressure. For the actors, access to the governor’s office remains a conduit for advocacy on issues ranging from wildfire resilience to arts funding. The dinner, while social in appearance, operates within a well-established tradition of informal influence-building between the entertainment capital and the state capital.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who attended the dinner at Nobu Malibu?

    Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Tobey Maguire, and California Governor Gavin Newsom were photographed dining together.

    What is the significance of the venue?

    Nobu Malibu is part of the Nobu Hospitality group co-founded by Robert De Niro, making it a familiar and financially connected location for the actor. The restaurant has long been a preferred gathering place for Hollywood figures.

    Why does a meeting between actors and the governor matter?

    California’s entertainment industry and state government maintain a deeply interdependent relationship involving tax policy, labor agreements, climate regulation, and economic development. Informal meetings between cultural leaders and elected officials are a routine channel for shaping that agenda.

  • Rep. Nancy Mace Calls California Gov. Gavin Newsom a ‘D***’

    Rep. Nancy Mace Calls California Gov. Gavin Newsom a ‘D***’

    Key Highlights

    • Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) responded on X to a media report about explicit messages in her direct messages by criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA).
    • The Congresswoman’s post referenced a story describing her “horny suitors” and unsolicited explicit images.
    • The exchange highlights ongoing social media friction between the South Carolina Republican and the California Democrat.

    Mace Counters Media Coverage with Attack on Newsom

    Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) took to the social media platform X to push back against a recent story detailing the explicit nature of messages she receives in her direct messages, using the opportunity to launch a pointed critique at California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The Congresswoman’s response framed the media coverage as a distraction, pivoting immediately to the prominent Democrat in a move consistent with her established combative online persona.

    Context of the Original Report

    The catalyst for Mace’s post was a story—referenced in her reply as “our story”—which characterized the Congresswoman’s direct messages as inundated with unsolicited explicit photos and advances from “horny suitors.” Rather than addressing the specifics of the report or the broader issue of online harassment faced by women in politics, Mace opted to redirect the narrative. Her post on X explicitly stated she took “a break from dodging d*** pics in her direct messages to call out Gavin Newsom online,” employing coarse language to describe the volume of inappropriate content she claims to receive.

    Escalating Partisan Rhetoric on Social Media

    The interaction underscores the increasingly personal and performative nature of political discourse on platforms like X. Mace, known for her frequent and often provocative social media presence, utilized a story about gendered online abuse to score a partisan point against Newsom, a figure frequently mentioned as a potential future presidential candidate. The Governor’s office did not immediately issue a public response to the Congresswoman’s broadside at the time of the posting.

    Why This Matters

    This episode illustrates two converging trends in modern political communication. First, it highlights the severe and persistent issue of online harassment—specifically sexual harassment—targeting female elected officials, a problem Mace has spoken about previously. Second, it demonstrates how politicians increasingly leverage personal grievances and media coverage, even regarding their own victimization, as ammunition for immediate partisan warfare. The incident serves as a case study in how the lines between official conduct, personal boundaries, and political strategy have blurred on social media, often at the expense of substantive policy debate.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What prompted Nancy Mace’s post about Gavin Newsom?
    Mace was responding to a media report—described as “our story” in the source—that detailed the explicit photos and messages she receives in her social media direct messages. She used the report as a pivot to criticize Newsom.
    Did Gavin Newsom respond to Nancy Mace’s criticism?
    Based on the available source material, there was no immediate public response from Gov. Newsom or his office to Mace’s post on X.
    Has Nancy Mace previously spoken about online harassment?
    While the current RSS snippet does not detail her history, Rep. Mace has publicly addressed the issue of online threats and harassment against women in politics during her tenure in Congress.
  • Gavin Newsom Condemns Donald Trump Over Alleged False 9/11 Story

    Gavin Newsom Condemns Donald Trump Over Alleged False 9/11 Story

    Gavin Newsom Condemns Trump’s 9/11 Claims as ‘Absolutely Disgusting’ Lie

    California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump over his recurring account of where he was during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, labeling the narrative an “absolutely disgusting” lie.

    Newsom’s Forceful Rebuke

    The Democratic governor’s condemnation came in response to Trump’s remarks at a Tuesday event honoring 9/11 emergency responders. During the ceremony, the former president repeated a story he has told previously regarding his whereabouts and actions on the day of the attacks.

    Newsom did not mince words in his assessment, directly accusing Trump of fabricating a false narrative surrounding the national tragedy. The phrase “absolutely disgusting” underscores the intensity of the governor’s objection to the former president’s version of events.

    Recurring 9/11 Narrative Draws Scrutiny

    Trump has frequently recounted his personal experience of 9/11 in public speeches and interviews over the years. His latest retelling at a formal commemoration event has reignited debate over the accuracy of his claims, drawing a forceful rebuttal from one of his most prominent Democratic rivals.

  • Exclusive: I won’t run against Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom tells CNN

    Exclusive: I won’t run against Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom tells CNN

    California Governor Gavin Newsom opened up about a potential 2028 presidential bid, his relationship with Vice President Kamala Harris, and the personal calculus behind seeking the White House during an extensive fly-fishing interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper in Montana.

    A Conversation on the Bitterroot River

    The setting was unconventional by political journalism standards: waist-deep in the frigid Bitterroot River on the Bitterroot Springs Ranch near Stevensville, Montana. Tapper, who pitched the “Out of Office” longform concept to several political figures including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, wanted to move beyond studio interviews. The goal was to discuss childhoods, parents, tougher moments, and biggest successes in an environment where the subject felt comfortable. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has also agreed to participate in the series.

    Despite Tapper’s self-described “horrible fly-fishing form,” the hours spent driving around the ranch and standing in the water loosened up the typically polished politician. The conversation ranged across decades of public life, touching on Newsom’s dyslexia, failed first marriage, past affair, his mother’s assisted suicide, a close friend’s intervention, the governor’s race, COVID-19 challenges, and confrontations with President Donald Trump.

    Newsom on Harris and the 2028 Field

    Top of mind was whether Newsom runs for president in 2028. A key variable is who else enters the race, specifically former Vice President Kamala Harris, a fellow San Francisco Democrat.

    “I don’t know if she runs, but we’ll see,” Newsom told me. “I wouldn’t run if she ran.”

    Tapper noted frank surprise at the definitive statement.

    “Why would I?” he said. “I wouldn’t do that to her. I wouldn’t do it to me. … I won’t waste everyone’s time. Who needs that?”

    Newsom elaborated on the political mechanics of such a scenario.

    “First of all, electorally it’s a gift from God for everybody else,” he explained. “They’d enjoy the hell out of it. Mutual assured destruction. It services no greater good. Why would I do this if I wasn’t trying to serve some greater good? There would be no upside whatsoever.”

    When pressed on the counterargument—that Harris ran in 2019 without reaching 2020 and lost the 2024 general election—Newsom conceded the point but stood firm.

    “That would be the case you’d make,” he acknowledged. “Pretty good one, actually. That’s objectively true. But I know what that means. I know her base of supporters, I know her friends, the (Venn) diagram on that is just pure crossover … I wouldn’t do that to people. I wouldn’t put them in that position … Every other Democrat is praying for that, and every other Republican is gonna pray for that. And that’s just not gonna happen.”

    The ‘Why’ Behind a Presidential Run

    How does a politician decide to run for the highest office? Newsom described an ongoing personal process.

    “I have no experience in this process, so I’m going through it,” Newsom said.

    Tapper noted some observers wished Newsom had challenged President Joe Biden in 2024.

    “I wasn’t ready,” he said. “First of all, I wouldn’t do that. And second, if I did, I would have gotten crushed because I didn’t have a why. You don’t have big enough why, then you don’t belong there.”

    “It’s shocking how many presidential candidates can’t answer their why. Like, shocking,” he continued. He said he’d seen “leading candidates over the last few cycles that are there for the wrong reasons. Or no reason at all, which is the worst. So, you’ve got to have a big enough why.”

    Family as the Final Veto

    After reflecting on his personal and professional journey, Newsom signaled a shift in perspective.

    “I am not screwing anything up anymore, man. I know what matters in life. I got four kids, it’s the only thing that matters to me.”

    His wife and school-aged children hold veto power over a White House run.

    “If they’re not on board, that’s a non-starter.”

    Meeting the Moment

    Back in the flowing water, checking his hook and casting upstream at signs of reluctant fish, Newsom outlined the signs that might actually make him run.

    “You just have to meet the moment. You got to be honest with yourself. Do you represent the zeitgeist in the moment, or are you wasting everybody’s time?” he said.

    “I’m not here to make a point. I want to make the difference, and you can make a difference in a lot of ways in life.”

    The full “Out of Office” report with Gavin Newsom streams Tuesday on CNN All Access starting at 8 a.m. ET.