California Governor Gavin Newsom launched his new podcast, This Is Gavin Newsom, intending to present himself as a leader open to civil debate and new ideas. However, in the first episode featuring conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Newsom instead appeared unprepared, contradictory, and incapable of defending his long-held positions. The discussion, particularly around transgender athletes in women’s sports, turned into a moment of embarrassment for the governor, who seemingly abandoned his party’s stance while attempting to appease his guest.
Newsom Stumbles on Transgender Athlete Debate
One of the most controversial moments of the podcast came when Kirk challenged Newsom on the issue of transgender women competing in women’s sports. Kirk asked, “Would you do something like that? Would you say ‘no men in female sports’?”
Newsom, clearly caught off guard, responded with hesitation: “Well, I… I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness.” Kirk continued pressing, naming a specific athlete competing in California’s high school sports, A.B. Hernandez. Newsom fumbled through his response, trying to qualify his stance by referencing his own children and past sports experiences. “No, I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you. By the way, as someone with four kids, two daughters, and a wife who played on the junior national soccer team… I revere sports.”
Rather than defending his party’s traditional position on inclusivity, Newsom aligned himself with Kirk’s argument. He attempted to pivot by suggesting that conservatives had “weaponized” the issue, but Kirk quickly corrected him, saying, “Not weaponize.” Newsom, clearly trying to recover, amended his wording: “Weaponize is maybe pejorative, you’re right. But you were able to highlight it in a way that… frankly…” before trailing off.
For a governor who has long positioned himself as a progressive champion, the backtracking and uncertainty on an issue that he had previously supported was striking. His hesitancy and lack of a strong defense left many wondering whether he truly believed in the policies he has championed for years—or if he was simply trying to reposition himself politically.
Newsom’s Awkward Attempts to Appeal to the Right
Beyond the transgender athlete debate, the podcast was filled with moments that made Newsom look more like an eager-to-please novice rather than a confident leader. At multiple points, Newsom bizarrely sought advice from Kirk on how Democrats could build a political movement as energized as MAGA. “Seriously, Charlie Kirk, give us some advice,” Newsom asked, as if he were a campaign intern instead of the governor of the most populous state in the country.
Kirk didn’t hold back. “Get better ideas, governor,” he shot back, seizing the opportunity to ridicule Newsom’s party.
In another odd moment, Newsom revealed that his 13-year-old son is a big fan of Charlie Kirk. According to Newsom, his son desperately wanted to meet Kirk and even tried to skip school to be present for the podcast recording. “Last night, I was putting him to bed, and he says, ‘No, Dad, what time is Charlie going to be here? What time??’” Newsom recounted. The next morning, his son woke up early, determined to stay home. “He literally would not leave the house,” Newsom said, before admitting that he forced his son to go to school. While the anecdote was meant to be lighthearted, it only reinforced the impression that Kirk has a stronger influence on young people than Newsom himself.
Charlie Kirk’s Final Verdict: Newsom is a Phony
Following the podcast, Kirk uploaded the full episode to his own channel, adding his own commentary. He concluded, “In closing, what do I think? I think Gavin Newsom wants to run to the middle. Could we trust him? No! I don’t think it’s legitimate, I don’t think it’s authentic.” However, Kirk did credit Newsom’s team for not editing any footage: “They were honest brokers.”
The episode has since gained hundreds of thousands of views, drawing attention not for Newsom’s leadership, but for his failure to stand firm on his positions. Rather than using the podcast as a platform to rally support, Newsom allowed Kirk to control the narrative, leaving his credibility in question.
A Political Miscalculation?
Newsom’s performance on his own podcast has left many Democrats frustrated and even “sickened” by his remarks, as some lawmakers and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have stated. By conceding ground on transgender athlete policies and openly questioning his own party’s messaging strategy, Newsom appears to be pivoting toward the center—a move that may alienate progressives while failing to win over conservatives who see his shift as opportunistic rather than genuine.
If Newsom intended to use this podcast to launch a broader national appeal ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run, his debut episode was a disaster. Instead of appearing as a confident, articulate leader, he came across as a politician unsure of his own beliefs, desperately seeking approval from an ideological opponent.
With this inauspicious start, This Is Gavin Newsom provides a revealing look at how politicians handle real debate—exposing whether their convictions are firm or merely convenient talking points.
Disclaimer:
This article contains both factual reporting and opinion analysis. The opinion section reflects an analytical perspective on Gavin Newsom’s podcast performance and his political positioning. All direct quotes are sourced from verifiable recordings of the podcast.
