Gavin Newsom’s Podcast Backfires Big Time

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempt to reshape his national image through a podcast appears to be backfiring, according to a new poll. While he may have hoped to appeal to a broader audience, the latest numbers suggest he’s alienating key Democratic voters without winning over Republicans.

A Capitol Weekly survey of 1,000 California voters found that 26% had a worse opinion of Newsom after hearing clips from his podcast, while only 13% saw him in a more favorable light. The majority—58%—said it had no impact, but the damage to Newsom’s reputation is clear: his favorability rating has dropped from +4 in February to -6 in March. The poll, conducted from March 8-11, has a margin of error of 3.1%.

Podcast Misfire: Newsom Walks a Fine Line and Stumbles

Newsom launched This Is Gavin Newsom as a platform to reach across political divides, but his decision to feature conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk as his first guest raised eyebrows. Following that, he welcomed another MAGA figure, Steve Bannon, further fueling speculation about his true intentions.

While some Democrats saw his engagement with Kirk as a sign of political maturity, others felt betrayed. “I can’t believe he gave Kirk that platform,” said one moderate Democrat. “Is he trying to prove something to Republicans? Because it’s not working.”

One clip from the Kirk interview especially stood out. Newsom recounted how his 13-year-old son wanted to miss school to meet Kirk, prompting Kirk to joke: “You canceled school for two years—what’s one more day?” The line hit home with many, as California’s strict COVID-19 lockdowns remain a sore point. The reaction was mixed: 43% found the clip negative, 34% positive, and 21% neutral.

Another podcast moment saw Newsom criticize the term “Latinx” as something no one in his office actually uses. While conservatives might see this as a rare moment of common sense from the governor, it didn’t land well with his base. The poll showed 57% of respondents reacted negatively, with one Democrat remarking, “He’s moving toward a new center. It’s not my preference, but at least it’s not complete insanity.”

The most controversial moment came when Newsom weighed in on transgender athletes in women’s sports. While he called it “deeply unfair,” he also accused conservatives of “weaponizing” the issue, emphasizing that these discussions affect mental health and suicide rates. The response was overwhelmingly negative: 63% disapproved, 20% approved, and 16% remained neutral. One Republican respondent summed it up: “Newsom had a chance to take a stand, but he waffled. Typical.”

Newsom’s Approval Takes a Hit

The backlash is evident in the numbers. Newsom’s February approval rating of 52% has slipped to 47%, and his net favorability rating turned negative. Worse for his media aspirations, nearly no one is actually listening to the podcast—only 0.057% of respondents had tuned in, and 58% said they had no interest in doing so.

“This looks like a major miscalculation,” said Republican strategist Mike Madrid. “Newsom’s trying to position himself for something bigger, but instead, he’s making enemies on both sides.”

Even some Democrats are confused by his approach. Steven Maviglio, a Sacramento-based Democratic strategist, said, “If he’s running for president, this is a bizarre way to do it. Why is he pandering to the far right?”

What’s Next?

With his second and final term as governor ending in January 2027, all signs point to Newsom eyeing the 2028 presidential race. However, his podcast experiment raises a serious question: Who, exactly, is he trying to win over? If this was a trial balloon for a national run, it may have already popped.