California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Feb. 26 the launch of his new podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” which will feature conversations with “Make America Great Again” leaders and other prominent figures.
Newsom described the project as a platform for “honest discussions with people that agree and disagree with us.”
Presented by iHeartRadio, the podcast will air weekly, with the first episode expected next week. A spokesperson for the governor’s office said the exact release date has not yet been determined.
In a trailer for the podcast, Newsom described the podcast as a platform for “debating without demeaning.”
“Each week, I’m inviting voices from across the political spectrum, including those I fundamentally disagree with, to discuss the most pressing and challenging issues of our time,” he said.
One voice featured in the trailer is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with a clip of the two debating red-versus-blue state policies.
Newsom said the podcast also aims to better connect with constituents by offering a platform where listeners can call in to ask questions or debate topics with him.
“The majority of people say we’re ‘out of touch,’ that we don’t represent you, that we are weak. Absolutely, absolutely we have a messaging problem,” he said in the trailer.
This isn’t the first time Newsom has launched a podcast. Last July, he debuted “Politickin’,” a weekly sports and culture podcast with former NFL star Marshawn Lynch and sports agent Doug Hendrickson.
Despite its name, Newsom said that “Politickin” featured “no politics.”
When asked whether Newsom would continue appearing on the other podcast, spokesperson Anthony York said the governor felt heavier topics—such as the Trump election and recent wildfires—were not a natural fit for casual, celebrity-driven conversations.
“He wanted a place where he could have more serious conversations, more thoughtful conversations, and things that were sort of maybe closer connected to his day job,” York told The Epoch Times.
Additionally, York denied any connection between the new podcast and speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run by Newsom.
York said that in addition to political discussions, the governor’s new podcast will feature thought leaders in technology, artificial intelligence, business, and finance.
Newsom is no stranger to media ventures. While serving as California’s lieutenant governor from 2012 to 2013, he hosted a weekly talk show.
