The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Featuring Gov. Gavin Newsom | "The UNGA Games"

Aired: September 24, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show blends the show’s trademark sharp political satire and humor with a substantive guest interview. Host Stephen Colbert opens by skewering current headlines—especially President Trump’s performance at the UN General Assembly—before welcoming California Governor Gavin Newsom for a wide-ranging, candid discussion on his new communication style, political polarization, authoritarian tendencies in U.S. politics, California's policy innovations, and the crisis of democracy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Satirizing the UN General Assembly ("UNGA Games") and Trump’s Speech

[03:56–16:16]

• Colbert comments humorously on the annual chaos of the UNGA in NYC, including global leaders being stuck in traffic and the unique plight of French President Emmanuel Macron.
• He lampoons Trump’s UN speech, highlighting Trump’s statements on borders, climate, and international relations, pointing out both the factual errors and the bizarre delivery.
  • Quote:
    "The theme of his speech was that the UN and the delicts are all ugly and their mothers dress them funny... Trump, he mouth shambled for almost an hour..."
    — Stephen Colbert [06:47]
• Mocks Trump’s inability to pronounce acetaminophen and his unsubstantiated claim that Tylenol causes autism.
  • Quote:
    "Now, listen, I'm not a doctor, but you know who is? Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who posted this about the Tylenol claims: 'The preponderance of evidence shows that this is not the case.' Ooh, I think Bill Cassidy just lost his late night talk show."
    — Stephen Colbert [11:02]
• Presents a satirical product, the "Bite Stick," poking fun at the suggestion for pregnant women to "tough it out" without medication.

2. Gavin Newsom’s Interview: Strategy and Substance

Part 1: On Political Communication
[18:29–24:27]

• Colbert asks Newsom about his new, more humorous communication strategy online and in media, aimed at breaking through to a polarized public.
  • Quote:
    "You've got this new communication strategy, or at least new for a Democrat. It's called, I hope I'm pronouncing this correctly, being interesting."
    — Stephen Colbert [19:15]
• Newsom explains Democrats often lack humor but felt it was necessary to break through with something novel. The approach has gotten under the skin of opponents and generated substantial response—even from conservative media.
  • Quote:
    "Oftentimes Democrats, we're a little, you know, just... We're not as humorous as we should be."
    — Gavin Newsom [20:12]
• Newsom references the importance of “fighting back” both symbolically (with humor) and substantively (e.g., lawsuits against Trump administration policies).

Part 2: Policy Leadership—California & the Western Alliance
[26:43–28:40]

• Newsom outlines California’s collaborative, evidence-driven approach to public health and climate, working in coalition with other West Coast states due to distrust in federal agencies.
  • Quote:
    "We are advancing an independent scientific review panel with other states to counter the mis and disinformation coming from the CDC. They simply are not trustworthy."
    — Gavin Newsom [27:02]
• Discusses new state laws requiring insurance coverage for recommended vaccines and treatments, with independent scientific review in place of defaulting to CDC, to safeguard residents as federal guidelines become politicized.

Part 3: Bridging Political Divides
[28:40–31:26]

• Newsom speaks about his efforts (including through his podcast) to dialogue with ideological opponents like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon.
  • Quote:
    "I got a lot of criticism for quote, unquote, platforming people we disagree with. But look, it's not complicated. Divorce is not an option. At the end of the day, we got to figure out a way to live together and advance together across our differences."
    — Gavin Newsom [29:29]
• He details learning from these conversations, noting surprising similarities in populist messaging and emphasizing the importance of understanding opposition tactics.

Part 4: Democracy Under Threat
[31:26–37:05]

• Newsom shares strong warnings about the risk of authoritarianism and manipulation of elections—highlighting Trump’s efforts to change Congressional districting and use federal resources for political intimidation.
  • Quote:
    "Trump is weakness masquerading as strength. He's weak in every key category... And that's why he dialed not for votes, but for seats... He's consolidating power."
    — Gavin Newsom [32:09]
• Describes the militarization of federal agencies (ICE, National Guard) and the dangers of normalizing masked, unaccountable law enforcement tactics.
• Cites California’s legislative response: a new law banning ICE from concealing their identities, restoring accountability and trust in law enforcement.
  • Quote:
    "I'm deeply proud that I had the privilege of signing the nation's first bill to address the issue of masking. Also to require you have simple identification..."
    — Gavin Newsom [36:18]
• Relates real incidents of harm, especially to vulnerable communities, from unaccountable law enforcement actions.
  • Quote:
    "Masked men jumping out of unmarked cars, people disappearing. No due process, no oversight, zero accountability. Happening in the United States of America today."
    — Gavin Newsom [36:40]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "Trump, he mouth shambled for almost an hour, saying at one point that he has stopped seven wars without any help from the UN and then added this: 'All I got from the United nations was an escalator that on the way up stopped right in the middle.'"
  — Stephen Colbert [06:47–07:13]

• On the role of humor:
  "We thought we'd have some fun with it, but I never imagined it would break through like it has and get under the skin of the President of the United States."
  — Gavin Newsom [20:35]

• On information integrity:
  "We're making sure that our own independent analysis provides a list of recommendations based on facts, based on science, not based on bull and fear."
  — Gavin Newsom [28:15]

• On authoritarian shifts:
  "These are not just authoritarian tendencies. These are authoritarian actions by an authoritarian government... This can't be normalized."
  — Gavin Newsom [36:49]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• UN General Assembly & Trump Satire: 03:56–16:16
• Gavin Newsom Interview (Communication & Reaction): 18:29–24:27
• California’s Public Health & Western Alliance: 26:43–28:40
• Outreach Across Aisle & Learning from Opponents: 28:40–31:26
• Threats to Democracy & Authoritarianism: 31:26–37:05

Tone and Style

The episode preserves Stephen Colbert’s wit, nimble comic timing, and skill at distilling complex issues through satire. Gov. Newsom matches Colbert’s energy with openness and occasional self-deprecation, weaving humor into his detailed, passionate appeals on policy and democracy.

Summary

This episode will satisfy both fans of late-night political comedy and listeners seeking perspective on current policy divides and democracy’s fragility. Colbert’s UNGA and Trump sketches set an irreverent stage, leading into Governor Newsom’s candid discussion of how Democrats must upend old strategies with humor, direct engagement, and policy leadership. The conversation is as funny as it is urgent, with both Colbert and Newsom unwavering in warning against authoritarian drift in America and the imperative to fight for facts, accountability, and hope.