California Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement of his new podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” has quickly become the subject of widespread criticism on social media. While Newsom presented the show as a unique platform for “real conversations” on a range of topics, including tariffs and the cost of eggs, many Californians and political commentators took to social media to mock the governor’s media venture, questioning its timing amidst the state’s mounting challenges.
The governor unveiled the podcast through a video post on X (formerly Twitter), billing it as “anything but the ordinary ‘politician’ podcast.” He assured viewers that the show would feature a diverse range of guests, including those with whom he disagrees, as well as individuals he respects. Additionally, Newsom teased that early episodes would include discussions with figures in the MAGA movement, promising an open forum on contentious issues.
In addition to the aftermath of devastating wildfires (much of which has been blamed on state and local mismanagement) Newsom’s California has been grappling with issues such as rising homelessness, skyrocketing housing costs, and severe budget deficits. As many of these problems continue to worsen, critics argue that the governor’s new podcast seems like a vanity project, offering little in terms of real solutions for the residents suffering from these issues.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was one of the many who mocked Newsom, referencing his infamous “French Laundry” scandal during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a tweet, Portnoy pointedly asked, “Let’s start with why did you throw a party for yourself at the French Laundry with no masks on in the middle of Covid when California had just about the strictest COVID regs in the country and thousands of small businesses were going outta business because of said policies?”
Investigative reporter Andrew Kerr expressed a desire to be a guest on Newsom’s podcast, proposing a discussion about his administration’s handling of the Los Angeles wildfire response. Kerr accused Newsom of shutting down an effective wildfire team and misleading the public about their efforts, further tarnishing the governor’s credibility.
Republican California state Rep. Carl DeMaio humorously suggested the podcast should be named “Gaslighting with Gavin,” referencing the governor’s tendency to downplay California’s issues while promoting his progressive agenda. Meanwhile, Brianna Lyman, a reporter for The Federalist, asked how launching a podcast could be a priority when “communities are still just ash” from devastating wildfires.
California GOP Chair John Dennis joked, “I’d rather pour acid in my ears than listen to a Gavin Newsom podcast.”
As Newsom prepares to launch the show, he faces mounting criticism from all corners. While the podcast may offer him a new avenue to communicate his policies and opinions, it is clear that many Californians would prefer more tangible action on the state’s problems rather than a new media project. Whether Newsom’s podcast will gain genuine support remains to be seen, but for now, the backlash appears to be louder than the podcast’s anticipated debut.
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Hey, JA Grewsom. Don’t you think you should actually be thinking about, AND DOING your job! You’ve got plenty of things you could be doing other than a podcast. Get busy with what you’re being paid to do.
From a disgruntled voter, that didn’t vote for you for obvious reasons.