Beshear talks politics, faith, and Gen Z slang on Late Night with Seth Meyers
In front of a live studio audience Tuesday in New York City, Gov. Andy Beshear talked about being a Democratic governor in a Republican state, how he’s trying to slice through partisan politics, and why he started a podcast, among other topics.
“Do you enjoy being a podcaster?” host Seth Meyers asked Beshear, his second guest on his Sept. 9 edition of Late Night with Seth Meyers.
“I do,” Beshear said. “For once, I get to ask the questions.”
While Beshear has appeared often in his official capacity as governor on national news networks like MSNBC, his appearance on the NBC late-night show was among his first forays into mainstream entertainment television. And while it served as a more personal outlet, the governor, whom many believe shares higher office aspirations after his term ends in late 2027, still delivered what’s become his characteristic message about the need for unity in tumultuous political times.
For instance, Beshear said the goal of his podcast isn’t a platform to fan the political flame or to drum up his base of supporters. Rather, “It’s about trying to process this crazy world we live in right now. The idea that we can talk about the tough issues, but in a conversation among friends ... news hits you over and over right now. And the goal is to process that anxiety but then be ready, not to move left or right, but to move forward.”
Beshear’s name continues to be circulated by political party insiders and national media as a possible contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Though he has not denied interest in that office — and continues to hedge when asked in interviews — he has explicitly quashed any rumor he may run for U.S. Senate.
His appearance on late night comes less than a week after he announced the “Andy Beshear Podcast,” which will reach more listeners after the radio network SiriusXM announced it would begin airing the podcast on Progress channel 127. Beshear will also host a regular call-in show. His first guest on his new platform is House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY. The pair’s interview airs Sept. 10.
Beshear was joined in the studio by Chance the Rapper and comedy writer Seth Reiss as guests on Tuesday’s episode of the popular talk show.
Beshear discussed how President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” will affect Kentuckians on Medicaid, as well as Kentucky hospitals with broad patient bases who receive Medicaid, and those receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
“This is going to have detrimental impacts, not just to whole communities but to families. It’s wrong, it’s mean. We need to flip Congress to undo it, because that is the only ultimate answer: rescind this bill.”
Meyers asked what it’s like being a blue governor in a red state.
“You are a Democratic governor in a state that many would say, ‘That can’t possibly be true,’” Meyers said to laughs from the audience. ‘This is a state Donald Trump carried by 30%. I think maybe everybody is looking to you to ask this question: what is the secret?”
Beshear gave a three-part answer. First, “Make sure you’re spending that 80% of the time on people’s everyday needs — jobs, health care, infrastructure, education and public safety,” he said.
Second, “Let’s start talking like normal human beings again. Not talking at people, but talking to people. We’ve let these terms like susbtance use disorder or food insecurity become a part of our lingo that you wouldn’t use in talking to your friend.”
Third, “People are looking for authenticity. People who are being real and leveling with them. Democrats are really good at the ‘what’; we’re really good at the policy. ... But we’re very bad at talking about our why. For me, that’s my faith.”
He told a story of how, during his re-election campaign for governor in 2023, the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed House Bill 470, which would bans health care providers in Kentucky from administering gender-affirming health care to transgender youth, even with parents’ permission. Beshear vetoed the bill, but the Republican supermajority overrode his veto. He told Meyers it was “one of the nastiest pieces of LGBTQ legislation my state had ever seen.
“I vetoed it, because it’s the right thing to do,” Beshear said, to applause from the audience. “If the legislature was going to show them hate, I was going to try and show them love. If they were going to show them judgment, I was going to show them acceptance.”
Beshear didn’t just talk politics.
“Democrats are trying to connect with Gen Z. You’ve got a couple right there for you,” Meyers said, referring to Beshear’s teenage children, Will and Lila. Will has appeared on a few episodes of his dad’s podcast to teach his dad Gen Z slang.
“It tends to make dad look 1,000 years old, but I have learned the difference between something being ‘skibidi’ and ‘fire,’” Beshear said.
“I think it’s good to know and to learn that slang so you understand it, but I would also tell you: Don’t use it,” Meyers said.
“Yeah, they say that is ‘cringe,’” Beshear agreed.
Late Night airs on NBC at 12:35 a.m. weeknights and also streams on Peacock.
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 9:54 AM.
