Newsom Reacts to Rogan’s Refusal for Podcast Debate

California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed frustration over Joe Rogan’s refusal to host him on his popular podcast for a discussion regarding their differing views.

Rogan has criticized Newsom’s leadership and presidential ambitions, especially after he relocated from California, citing high taxes and government issues as reasons for his departure.

In a recent YouTube interview with Shelby Church, Newsom commented, “The problem with Rogan is he won’t have me on. He’s afraid of confronting the nonsense he puts out there, especially about politics. He’s just a bullshitter when it comes to these topics.” Newsom added sarcastically, “Well done, tough guy!” in response to Rogan’s ongoing critiques over the past couple of years.

Newsom reiterated his willingness to debate Rogan, stating he would even allow the podcast host to have a panel of supporters present. “I told him, it could be 10 against 1. Gather your team and have them ask questions for you. But he won’t do it,” he lamented.

Interestingly, Newsom noted that he once admired Rogan before he shifted to a more conservative stance. He suggested that Rogan’s hesitation to engage with him stems from some sort of “anxiety” over facing tougher questions.

In an episode from October 2025, Rogan had stated that even Democratic voters were not confident in Newsom’s abilities to become president. “It’s almost humorous that he wants to lead when he’s been in charge of a city and a state and it hasn’t gone well,” Rogan remarked.

Interestingly, Rogan mirrored Newsom’s earlier criticism of his political credibility by calling him a skilled bullshitter. “He boasts about having the highest of this and that, yet everyone’s leaving,” he said. Rogan detailed issues like high homelessness and unemployment, concluding that Newsom’s actions as a leader had, in his view, led to decline in places like Hollywood.

In turn, Newsom accused Rogan of lacking the courage to have a direct conversation about their diverging beliefs.