During a CNN interview on Monday evening, California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed that he is “moving on” from popular podcast host Joe Rogan, while also questioning Rogan’s reluctance to have him as a guest. The comments emerged in a segment with CNN’s Elex Michaelson, who showcased a clip from an October 18 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. In this clip, Rogan informed comedian Andrew Schultz that he would not invite Newsom onto his show, suggesting that doing so would result in Newsom “cooking himself.”
Newsom responded to Rogan’s avoidance, stating, “For years and years, he’s been attacking me, and it’s one way, and he won’t have me on… By the way, I’m moving on. I have no interest.” He further dismissed the podcast’s significance by referring to Rogan as the “Facebook of podcasting,” despite the show being ranked as Spotify’s top podcast and accumulating between 16 to 24 million downloads each month.
When Michaelson challenged Newsom regarding Rogan’s extensive audience, Newsom countered, saying, “But with all due respect, if he has a big audience, but he doesn’t have big enough confidence, I didn’t go there, to have me on.” This back-and-forth comes after a series of exchanges between Newsom and Rogan over the past few weeks. Earlier in October, Newsom had appeared on the YouTube show “Higher Learning” where he publicly challenged Rogan, who previously described him as a “bullshit artist” responsible for California’s problems.
“I’m not afraid to go — I’m punching Joe Rogan, that son of a b—h is not used to that,” Newsom had stated. He continued to express that Rogan should invite him for a dialogue rather than resorting to attacks without offering a platform for discussion. “What are you worried about? What are you, Joe, you’re going to cook me or I’m going to cook myself,” Newsom asked rhetorically, also highlighting his willingness to engage with other media figures, including conservative hosts.
In the broader context, Rogan has showcased various political voices, including a notable interview with former President Donald Trump just ahead of the 2024 election, suggesting that he remains open to dialogue across the political spectrum.
Newsom’s comments shed light on the ongoing tensions between the two media figures, presenting a complex dynamic in their public interactions. As political discourse continues to be amplified through diverse platforms, the potential for dialogue between opposing views remains crucial for fostering understanding.