CNN State of the Union interview with Jake Tapper

Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

Broadcaster's transcript: CNN: State of the Union transcript. Retrieved 7 Oct 2026.

No BS Index for this transcript

Only 13 rated questions; a transcript needs 15 for a number. Claims that held up: 85% of 34 checked (Bluff 7.4 of 50). Its claims still count towards the overall score.

Answers questions · observed, not scored

73%

13 questions rated. Fewer than 15, so this does not enter the index. Answered = 1, Partly answered and Declined openly = ½, Dodged = 0.

Answered 8Partly answered 3Declined openly 0Dodged 2

TAPPER

So, behind you are the flags of the United States, Texas and California. California, I get. United States, I get. Why are we in Texas?

AnsweredAsked why the interview is in Texas. Says he came to thank the Texas legislators and that their walkout and Gene Wu's call launched Prop 50.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

And, ultimately, it didn't -- I didn't know it was going to be...

AnsweredTold the polls were against Prop 50 and the outcome was uncertain. Cites the first poll and explains why California could not hold back while other states redrew maps.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

Do you think that's part of why we are now in a government shutdown? I mean, just -- House Democrats voted against the government funding bill. Senate Democrats continue to vote against the government funding bill? Now, I understand why. They're doing so because they oppose the Medicaid cuts. They're doing so because they want the Republicans to extend the Obamacare subsidies. Insurance premiums are about the skyrocket. So I understand why, but Democrats are the ones keeping this government shutdown going. Do you agree with the strategy?

AnsweredAsked whether he agrees with the Democrats' shutdown strategy. Blames Trump for the shutdown, then says Democrats have been right to focus on health care.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

So there are a lot of repercussions for this government shutdown. Obviously, air travel is a mess. And then SNAP benefits, food benefits, food stamp benefits, for 42 million Americans, as we sit here, the Trump administration is fighting a court order to tell them to pay out full SNAP benefits. Vice President J.D. Vance called the judges' ruling that the U.S. needs to pay, that the Trump administration needs to pay these SNAP benefits, he called the ruling absurd. He said the administration is -- quote -- "not going to do it under the orders of a federal judge." Now, I know that's -- five million Californians receive SNAP benefits.

AnsweredGiven the Vance quote on court-ordered SNAP payments. Corrects the California figure, says the state restored benefits and calls using food aid as a bargaining chip shameful.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

Because it does seem like Democrats see fight in you. And a lot of them seem to be, at least the ones we just saw upstairs in Texas, like the fight. I mean, Congressman Al Green introduced you as a future president of the United States.

DodgedAsked whether the response to Prop 50 has changed his thinking on a 2028 run. Talks about the National Guard deployment and Trump's conduct instead, without addressing his own plans.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

Welcome back to STATE OF THE UNION. President Trump is skipping the worldwide climate conference this week, and you will never guess who the top-ranking U.S. official will be who's there instead. More now of my interview with California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, including on his own political future. After here in Houston, you're heading to Brazil for the U.N. climate conference. You will be the highest-profile or the highest- level U.S. official, because the Trump administration is not sending anyone. Are you standing in for the president or are you just representing California? What is your role?

Partly answeredAsked whether he is standing in for the president or representing California at the climate conference. Says he is standing in for his children and common sense, and sets out his focus, without choosing either role.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

Professor Galloway has this new book out talking about what a man is, what a man should be. There's all these questions and hand- wringing among Democrats about what is the reason that we're losing the male vote, and not just white men, increasingly Latino men, increasingly African-American men, not majorities, but they're heading, they're trending conservative.

AnsweredAsked why Democrats are losing male voters. Describes a crisis among men and boys and says Democrats ceded the ground while Trump exploited it.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

So, I have an 18-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son. Where is the Democratic Party able to access my son? He is gaming. He's on YouTube.

AnsweredAsked where Democrats can reach a teenage boy who games and watches YouTube. Lists his Fortnite, TwitchCon and Charlie Kirk podcast appearances.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

I don't know. Why?

AnsweredAsked why he went on Charlie Kirk's podcast first. Says Kirk was organising young people and Democrats were slow to see it.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

When are you going to make a decision officially about 2028? (LAUGHTER)

DodgedAsked when he will decide on 2028. Remarks that this is the third time he has been pushed and says he respects it, without giving a time.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

I cited Al Green. I asked you about the prop. And now I'm just saying, when will you make a decision? It's a -- that's a perfectly reasonable question. When will you make a decision? After the midterms?

AnsweredAsked whether the decision will come after the midterms. Says 'Of course.'Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

Do you have a why?

Partly answeredAsked whether he has a 'why' for running. Says a candidate has to find one and that it is years away, without saying whether he has one.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

TAPPER

Biden in 2020, bring back normalcy. Trump in 2024, bring down prices.

Partly answeredGiven Biden's and Trump's one-line messages, as a prompt for his own. Says it has nothing to do with him, then offers democratising the economy and rising prices as the issue of the time.Our model rated this Not yet reviewed by a person

6 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.