Governor Gavin Newsom joins me to provide a major election update and blasts Trump in the process.
By Aaron Parnas•November 4, 2025•5 min read
Opinion & Commentary
I just got off an interview with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who gave us a major update on the California Prop 50 elections and what’s shaping up to be one of the most closely watched nights in recent political memory. Governor Newsom told me he’s feeling confident about where things stand, calling this moment a “defining point for the Democratic Party and for the country as a whole.”
In a direct shot at Trump’s efforts to deploy election monitors, Newsom said his administration has sent ten monitors for every one Trump sends, a show of force meant to underscore California’s commitment to transparency and democratic integrity. “We’re not taking anything for granted,” he said. “We’re making sure every vote counts and every voter is protected.”
For perspective, this will be my evening update, and you’ll hear from me throughout the night as results come in, Virginia first, then New Jersey, New York City, and finally California, where Prop 50 could have major national implications. Expect several updates as key races are called.
I’ll be working around the clock to bring you real-time, verified coverage of this historic election night. It’s going to be long, fast-moving, and potentially game-changing. If you value independent reporting that keeps you informed minute by minute, please subscribe now to support this work and help keep it going strong.
Subscribe
Here’s all the other news you missed so far today:
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the government shutdown continues, the U.S. may be forced to close parts of its airspace due to severe staffing shortages among unpaid air traffic controllers, as nationwide flight delays and cancellations mount amid escalating partisan clashes over funding and healthcare.
Trump threatened “legal and criminal review” of California’s voting if Governor Newsom’s Democratic redistricting measure passes, repeating baseless claims of widespread election fraud. His remarks raise concerns he may again attempt to challenge or overturn election results unfavorable to Republicans, echoing his actions after the 2020 election.
Democratic New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani vowed not to be intimidated by President Trump after Trump threatened on Truth Social to cut federal funding if Mamdani wins, saying he’ll treat the remarks as political bluster and emphasizing that New Yorkers deserve a mayor who stands up for them “each and every day.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the administration will issue partial SNAP payments using a USDA contingency fund, complying with a federal court order, after Trump’s earlier Truth Social post said funds would be withheld until the government shutdown ends.
Two Massachusetts men were arrested for allegedly setting off an explosion at Harvard Medical School, with the FBI saying they filmed the blast and later bragged about it; investigators found no political motive so far, and the incident caused minimal damage as federal authorities pursue charges of conspiracy to use fire or explosives on federally funded property.
DC US Attorney Jeanine Pirro briefly intervened to reinstate four FBI agents fired in the Trump administration’s latest purge before they were terminated again, highlighting turmoil over efforts to oust investigators tied to the “Arctic Frost” probe into Trump’s 2020 election actions; the FBI Agents Association condemned the dismissals as politically driven and chaotic.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore launched a new redistricting commission to explore changes to the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms, defying opposition from top Democrats like Senate President Bill Ferguson, who warned the effort could backfire and give Republicans — and potentially Donald Trump — more seats if challenged in court.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denied reports that the U.S. plans to send troops into Mexico to fight drug cartels, saying she has repeatedly rejected such offers from President Trump and reaffirming that “Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign country.”
As the 35-day government shutdown ties for the longest in U.S. history, bipartisan Senate talks are gaining momentum, with several senators expressing optimism it could end this week amid growing agreement on a short-term funding plan into January—though Democrats and Republicans remain divided over extending expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies.
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot withhold transportation funds from states that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement. The judge said the policy was unconstitutional and an overreach of authority by the Department of Transportation.
Global markets slid Tuesday as major U.S. indexes and cryptocurrencies tumbled—led by steep losses in tech and AI stocks—after Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley CEOs warned of a potential market pullback, wiping hundreds of billions in value from companies like Nvidia and fueling investor fears of an overheated sector.
UN Secretary General António Guterres warned that Sudan’s civil war is “spiralling out of control” after the Rapid Support Forces seized El Fasher, urging an immediate ceasefire as the conflict—now among the century’s worst humanitarian crises—has killed over 150,000 people and displaced 14 million amid stalled U.S.-led peace efforts and alleged RSF atrocities.
A Pennsylvania artist apologized after unknowingly replicating the Auschwitz concentration camp’s “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate on a Catholic school’s Halloween parade float, prompting outrage and apologies from the Diocese of Harrisburg, which called the display “profoundly offensive” and vowed education and oversight to prevent future incidents.
Singer-songwriter Todd Snider canceled his 13-city tour after being allegedly assaulted outside his Salt Lake City hotel and later arrested at a hospital for disorderly conduct and threats toward staff, with police confirming an ongoing investigation and his team citing severe injuries and the need for medical recovery.
