California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) doesn’t appear to be a fan of social media users likening him to The Wall Street businessman-turned-serial killer, Patrick Bateman, from the 2000 film “American Psycho.”
In an awkward exchange during a Wednesday interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, the journalist suddenly brought up the comparison amid their wide-ranging conversation.
“What do you make of all the Patrick Bateman talk?” Karl blurted out.
“I don’t know, but—” Newsom began with a seemingly nervous laugh.
Karl then held up printed pages of memes depicting Newsom as the fictitious character, who was played by Christian Bale, telling the politician, “People say that you are like ‘American Psycho.’”
“Jesus, yeah, like I said, ‘Newscum,’ I mean—” a flustered Newsom responded, referring to President Donald Trump’s nickname for him.
“But even your friends, like, say that,” Karl added.
Visibly caught off guard, the California governor then questioned, “Oh, do they?” before teasing, “I’m gonna reevaluate my guest list.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Karl then read aloud a line from an unnamed comedian who apparently called Newsom “a literal comic book villain from central casting” who has “Patrick Bateman vibes.”
“He definitely had someone killed or may have killed someone himself,” Karl added of the comedian’s remarks about Newsom, prompting the politician to chuckle.
Quipping that he’s “glad” to “still have some humor left,” Newsom then took on a graver tone, telling Karl, “This is a rough business. Particularly if you’re willing to fight. And I just hope we have more fighters.”
He added, “I have no problem being out there with the arrows in my back, as long as it gives some space for people to run over me and move forward.”
Elsewhere in the interview, the topic of Bateman arose again after Karl asked Newsom what the biggest misconception about him was.
“I don’t know about the misconception. I think some of this, you know, some of the Bateman, the looks, you know, the whole thing, right?” Newsom said, gesturing to the printed memes. “The hair, all that, you know, and so I think people then see that [and] believe certain things.”
Seeking clarification, Karl asked if he was referring to people believing he’s a “lightweight.”
“Is that what you’re saying?” he questioned.
“I think they think [I have] just a little more style versus the substance. I put the substance in terms of policy making up against … and I mean that, that’s not braggadocious … I’m really proud of the policy work we’ve done.”
Watch Newsom’s ABC News interview below.