Joe Concha roasts Gavin Newsom’s viral Patrick Bateman comparison, says he’s ‘trying too hard’

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A social media post by Gavin Newsom comparing himself to a fictional violent character has triggered a wave of online backlash and sharp criticism on television. 

During a segment on Fox News on March 25, Wednesday, Joe Concha aimed at the California governor’s viral moment, arguing that the post not only missed the mark but also reflected a deeper issue with how Newsom is presenting himself politically.

Joe Concha tears into Newsom’s viral post

Reacting to the controversy, Concha didn’t hold back as he dissected both the post and the thinking behind it.

“I don't know what Gavin's thinking here. I think it's not Gavin. I think it's Gavin's press team, probably a bunch of Gen Z, I would imagine, that are hired to create this stuff,” he said, suggesting the idea may not have even originated with the governor himself.

He went on to question the timing and relevance of the comparison, saying, “So you put out a photo two years after one that Trump, no one remembers putting out. But I guess since Trump was visiting Graceland, then the thought came to mind that, oh, yeah, Trump did this with Elvis. So I'll do this with Patrick Bateman, Christian Bale was great in that movie.”

But Concha emphasized that the choice of character was particularly baffling given the violent nature of Patrick Bateman.

“But at the same time, yeah, throughout the movie, he is literally killing women. That's not the comparison that you want.”

Beyond just the post, Concha used the moment to make a larger argument about Newsom’s political trajectory.

“And I think in the end, Gavin Newsom will not be the Democratic nominee in 2028 because he just is trying too darn hard,” he said.

He expanded on that point saying, “The more we're getting of Gavin Newsom and the more we're getting to know him and hear from him, the less you want to hear from him, much like Kamala Harris.”

Gavin Newsom's post sparks backlash

The controversy began when Newsom shared a side-by-side image of himself and Christian Bale’s character from 'American Psycho.'

The governor captioned the post: “For years, people have said that Patrick Bateman and I look alike, and now this image is circulating widely, what do you think?”

What may have been intended as a tongue-in-cheek comparison quickly drew criticism online, with many pointing out the unsettling nature of aligning with a character known for extreme violence and psychopathy.

The post gained rapid traction, sparking memes, ridicule, and debate about whether the attempt at humor misfired, especially for a high-profile political figure like Gavin Newsom.