Gavin Newsom spotted hobnobbing with A-list celebs at Malibu hot spot

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-20 00:46:37 | Updated at 2026-09-20 05:12:09 4 hours ago

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was spotted rubbing elbows with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars in Malibu Friday night as the drama over Paramount’s merger battle dragged on.

Newsom was seen leaving the hot spot restaurant Nobu along along with actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Tobey Maguire.

De Niro co-owns the iconic Japanese spot, where the actors sat down for dinner with the governor, according to TMZ.

Gavin Newsom. ShotbyNYP / Daily Stardust / BACKGRID

De Niro has been one of President Trump’s fiercest celebrity critics, urging Americans to “resist, resist, resist” during a podcast interview in February.

He has also praised Newsom for his confrontational approach to the president on social media. De Niro endorsed Kamala Harris for president in 2024.

Robert De Niro. ShotbyNYP / Daily Stardust / BACKGRID

The star-studded outing came amid questions over Paramount potentially leaving the state over a legal battle regarding the company’s planned $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general sued to block the deal over antitrust concerns.

Paramount CEO David Ellison has threatened to move the studio out of the Golden State if the dispute is not resolved, raising concerns about the potential loss of thousands of entertainment jobs.


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Leonardo DiCaprio, left, and Tobey Maguire leave Nobu Malibu in Malibu on Friday night. ShotbyNYP / Daily Stardust / BACKGRID
Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire leave Nobu Malibu in Malibu, California, Friday, September 18, 2026. The actors were spotted dining with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Robert De Niro, film producer Art Linson and his wife Fiona Lewis, amid speculation surrounding a potential Newsom presidential run in 2028. ShotbyNYP / Daily Stardust / BACKGRID
Tobey Maguire. ShotbyNYP / Daily Stardust / BACKGRID

Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are among the officials who have urged the two sides to reach a settlement.

The dinner also comes amid continued speculation about whether Newsom will seek the presidency in 2028. Newsom has not announced a presidential campaign.

A recent Bowling Green State University/YouGov poll found Newsom with 14% support among Democrats surveyed about a hypothetical 2028 presidential primary, compared with 17% for former Vice President Kamala Harris.

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