• Newsom told Politico his conservative podcast appearances made him “a little more combative” in approach
• Governor admitted experiencing cancel culture firsthand changed his perspective on left-wing criticism tactics
• Strategy continues drawing sharp criticism from fellow Democrats questioning his party loyalty

SACRAMENTO, CA (TDR) — California Governor Gavin Newsom defended his controversial podcast strategy Tuesday, revealing that extensive appearances on conservative programs have fundamentally altered his worldview and made him more willing to confront fellow Democrats.

In an interview with Politico published Tuesday, Newsom detailed how his year-long podcast journey has directly influenced both his messaging and policy decisions, even as the approach continues alienating progressive allies.

Cancel Culture Revelation

“I was very defensive about this notion – I thought, frankly, the folks on the right were a little hyperbolic about attacking the left for cancel culture,” Newsom told Politico. “And then I was on the receiving end of it, and I was like, whoa. So it was very revelatory to me.”

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The governor acknowledged the podcast appearances have made him “a little more combative,” marking a significant evolution in his political approach nearly a year after launching “This is Gavin Newsom” in early 2025.

Newsom’s podcast has featured controversial right-wing figures including Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, drawing intense criticism from Democrats who view the strategy as legitimizing extremist voices.

Progressive Backlash Intensifies

Critics within Newsom’s own party have accused him of platforming misinformation without adequate pushback. During his conversation with Bannon, Newsom allowed the former White House strategist to casually dismiss the legitimacy of the 2020 election without substantive challenge.

The governor’s comments agreeing with Kirk on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports sparked particular outrage among progressive activists. “How many episodes until the political suicide is complete?” one Instagram commenter asked, according to reports.

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MSNBC columnist Zeeshan Aleem argued Newsom comes off “like a dupe and a pushover to progressives” while questioning whether his deferential posture will actually translate to votes from across the aisle.

Strategic Calculation for 2028

Newsom, widely considered a serious contender for the 2028 Democratic nomination, appears to be repositioning himself as a centrist capable of winning back voters who fled Democrats in 2024. The podcast launched in response to understanding Donald Trump’s victory and the Republican Party’s successful messaging to younger and independent voters.

Data from Penta research showed Newsom’s visibility spiked over 200 percent following Kirk’s appearance, demonstrating the strategy’s effectiveness at reaching new audiences even if it alienates traditional supporters.

The approach echoes Trump’s 2024 campaign strategy of leveraging podcasts popular among young men to bypass traditional media. Newsom’s 13-year-old son reportedly asked excitedly about when Kirk would arrive for the taping, highlighting how conservative influencers have captured attention across demographic groups.

Party Loyalty Questions

California polls conducted in March showed significant voter skepticism about Newsom’s motives, with many viewing the podcast as self-serving preparation for a presidential run rather than genuine constituent engagement. Among Republicans, hostility remained overwhelming, with respondents labeling him a “clown” and “failure.”

Even among Democrats, Newsom’s favorability took a hit. While maintaining an 81 percent favorable rating among California Democrats, the podcast strategy clearly divided his base between those appreciating cross-aisle dialogue and critics calling him “fake” and “self-serving.”

Former Democratic consultant speaking to The New Yorker suggested Newsom needs his podcast to distance himself from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear publicly supported the podcast concept but criticized Newsom’s choice to interview Bannon specifically.

Private Democratic Pressure

Newsom revealed in the Politico interview that he received significant “private heat” from Democrats about his guest selections, pressure that ultimately reinforced his belief about cancel culture’s prevalence on the left.

The governor has expanded his conservative outreach beyond the podcast, recently recording an episode with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and inviting Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway. He defended these choices by arguing Democrats must “respect people you disagree with” rather than dismissing them outright.

“There’s a crisis of men and masculinity in this country,” Newsom told business leaders at a San Francisco summit. “And that’s a hard thing for Democrats because we want to lift up women. We want to lift up the oppressed.”

Podcast Ranking Success

As of April 2025, “This is Gavin Newsom” ranked as the 40th most popular podcast on Spotify and 53rd on iHeart’s “Podcasts Top 100” list, demonstrating significant audience reach despite the controversy.

The governor told the New York Times in April that Democrats needed to “own up” to their failures and engage with differing opinions before dismissing them. He pointed to online conservative influencers successfully connecting with voters as examples of changing political culture among younger generations.

Will Newsom’s podcast gamble pay off in 2028, or has his cancel culture awakening alienated too many Democratic primary voters?

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