Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt used a Friday night appearance on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” to challenge California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, arguing that Democratic leaders could accomplish more by working with President Donald Trump.
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Leavitt, who stepped down as White House press secretary in August, appeared on Maher’s program as the conversation ranged from Trump’s governing style and the upcoming midterm elections to his relationship with Democratic officials.
The discussion turned to California after Leavitt pointed to Trump’s dealings with Democratic Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser as an example of cooperation between the White House and a Democratic local government.
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Leavitt credited that cooperation with improvements in Washington involving homelessness and crime, telling Maher that the nation’s capital had become more attractive during Trump’s second term.
“Maybe your governor should call, maybe your mayor here should call,” Leavitt said, referring to Newsom and Bass before suggesting California could “look a lot better.”
Maher, who has frequently criticized Trump, agreed with portions of Leavitt’s assessment of Washington and also described his own experience meeting privately with the president at the White House.
Leavitt argued that Trump is willing to work with Democrats who approach the administration seeking cooperation, describing him as someone who listens to competing viewpoints before making decisions.
Her comments quickly drew a response from Newsom’s office, with adviser Izzy Gardon pointing to the California governor’s February 2025 meeting with Trump following the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires.
Newsom traveled to Washington at the time seeking federal disaster assistance and initially said he wanted to approach the new administration with an “open hand, not a closed fist.”
Relations deteriorated dramatically several months later after Trump federalized more than 4,000 California National Guard troops during protests in Los Angeles over federal immigration enforcement, an action Newsom fiercely opposed and challenged in court.
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Gardon cited that dispute while rejecting Leavitt’s suggestion that Newsom had simply refused to work with the administration, arguing that the governor had already attempted direct cooperation with Trump.
Newsom has since adopted a substantially more confrontational approach toward the president, saying in a March interview that Democrats who attempt to cooperate with Trump eventually discover that they are expected to work for him rather than with him.
The political feud has continued into 2026 as Newsom has positioned himself as one of Trump’s most outspoken Democratic adversaries while repeatedly challenging administration policies involving immigration, federal authority and California.
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Leavitt’s comments came during a broader discussion about whether Republicans could overcome historical midterm headwinds as Trump campaigns heavily for GOP candidates ahead of the November 3 elections.
Maher raised the possibility that Republican losses could weaken Trump politically during the final two years of his presidency, but Leavitt cautioned against assuming the election’s outcome before voters have finished casting ballots.
She pointed to Trump’s political history and his return to the White House after losing the 2020 election, arguing that he has repeatedly defied political expectations and is now traveling extensively to encourage Republicans to vote.
Leavitt also offered an unusually detailed description of Trump’s decision-making process from her time inside the administration, saying he regularly asks aides at different levels of seniority for their opinions.
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Maher offered a similar observation from his own White House meeting, saying Trump listened closely, maintained eye contact and did not become angry when challenged during their conversation.
Leavitt agreed, saying Trump “surveys the room” and solicits advice from people ranging from lower-level staff members to senior officials before reaching a decision.
Her appearance marked another step back into public political life following her August departure from the White House, which she said was motivated by a desire to spend more time with her family.
Leavitt has remained involved in Trump’s political operation since leaving the administration and is preparing to begin a new role as a Fox News contributor on November 1.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
