Gavin Newsom says his 9-year-old son tried calling Trump

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: Parenting moments have a way of humbling public figures, even governors. Gavin Newsom learned that firsthand when one of his kids went digging through his phone and nearly placed a call straight to President Donald Trump. The moment came up casually during an interview, but it clearly left Newsom both amused and slightly horrified.

California Governor Gavin Newsom shared the story during an appearance on The Jack Cocchiarella Show. What began as a routine question about Trump quickly turned into a surprisingly relatable parenting confession.

Gavin Newsom says his children tried calling Donald Trump while searching for YouTuber MrBeast

During the conversation, host Jack Cocchiarella asked, “What was the last thing Trump said to you?” Newsom chuckled as he recalled Trump’s parting line: “Use this number any time,” before adding that he still has Trump’s personal cell phone number.

He joked that Trump would almost certainly pick up if he called right then, saying, “It alarms me to think that almost certainly he would answer the phone.” When Cocchiarella teased the idea of calling Trump together, Newsom immediately backed out, laughing, “Yeah, no, I can’t do that.”

Then came the twist: “My kids, by the way, tried to do that the other day, and they weren’t even kidding around.”

Newsom explained that his children were originally trying to find the number of YouTuber MrBeast—Jimmy Donaldson—a number Newsom admitted he “strangely” has. But while scrolling, their curiosity shifted to another mission: calling former President Donald Trump.

His 9-year-old son Dutch ended up tapping the screen long enough to trigger an outgoing call. “There’s a missed phone call to Trump from Dutch, my little guy,” Newsom said. “Anyway, that’s another conversation."

Gavin Newsom’s history with Donald Trump made the near-call even bolder

Newsom shares four children—Montana, Hunter, Brooklynn, and Dutch—with his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Dutch has been in the spotlight before; he famously wandered onstage during Newsom’s inaugural address in 2019, blanket in hand, interrupting his father’s speech in a moment that instantly went viral.

The near-call to Trump carries extra weight because Newsom and Trump share a tense political history. Newsom frequently mocks Trump online, often mimicking the former president’s posting style and taking pointed swings at his policies. He even trolled Trump recently by sharing a spoof doctor’s note signed by “Dr Dolittle” after Trump released MRI details.

Their worlds overlap more than most realize. Newsom’s ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, played a major role in the MAGA orbit and was engaged to Donald Trump Jr. before their split in 2024. Earlier this year, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Guilfoyle allegedly helped Newsom book interviews with conservative voices for his podcast, 'This Is Gavin Newsom.'

Gavin Newsom’s rising profile fueled 2028 speculation amid growing national attention

Despite repeated claims that he is not running for president, Newsom continues to draw speculation about 2028. A recent Public Policy Institute of California survey, cited by Politico, showed his approval ratings ticking upward in the year after Trump returned to the White House.