California Governor Gavin Newsom isn’t shying away from controversy. In fact, he’s diving straight into it.
In a recent interview with Bill Maher, Newsom made waves by admitting that the Democratic Party’s brand is in serious trouble—and he has a plan to fix it.
Facing Harsh Realities About the Democratic Party
During his conversation with Maher, Newsom agreed with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman’s stark warning that if Democrats don’t get their act together, they’ll be stuck as a permanent minority.
Without hesitation, Newsom pointed to Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, saying, “These guys are crushing us. The Democratic brand is toxic right now.”
Unlike many in his party, Newsom isn’t dodging these hard truths.
Instead, he’s actively engaging with conservatives, even sitting down with figures like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon for his podcast, This is Gavin Newsom.
His goal? To find common ground and open up real dialogue.
Rejecting the Echo Chamber
Newsom emphasized that refusing to talk to the other side isn’t going to solve anything.
“This idea that we can’t even have a conversation with the other side? That’s ridiculous,” he told Maher.
The governor pointed to polling data showing that Democratic favorability ratings are hovering in the low 20s—a clear sign that the party needs to change its approach.
Maher, always one to push back, responded, “They won!” Newsom didn’t disagree but stressed that meaningful conversations, not protests or social media outrage, are the key to rebuilding trust with voters.
Owning Mistakes and Addressing Controversial Issues
Newsom didn’t just critique his party—he also acknowledged specific issues that need to be addressed, including the contentious debate over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
In a recent podcast episode, he admitted, “I think it’s an issue of fairness.
I completely agree on that. It is deeply unfair.”
His willingness to engage on topics that many Democrats avoid has drawn mixed reactions. Some progressive critics feel he’s giving too much ground, while Republicans see him as a potential future threat.
Even conservative strategist Alex Conant admitted, “He’s a skilled communicator and a very, very talented politician.”
Preparing for 2028?
With Newsom’s growing national presence, speculation about a presidential run in 2028 is inevitable.
Maher pressed him on it, but Newsom played coy, saying, “I’ve got no grand plans.”
However, many political observers aren’t buying it.
Megyn Kelly recently warned that Newsom is “in training for 2028” and strategically positioning himself to appeal to both right-wing and independent voters.
Republicans in California remain skeptical. Matt Fleming, former California Republican Party communications director, dismissed Newsom’s outreach efforts, saying, “The more people get to know Gavin, the less they seem to like him.”
Others argue that he should focus on governing California rather than building his national brand.
A Calculated Political Move
Despite criticism from both sides, Newsom’s podcast is undeniably raising his profile.
By engaging with conservatives, tackling divisive issues, and openly critiquing his own party, he’s carving out a unique space in the political landscape.
Whether this strategy will pay off in the long run remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear—Newsom isn’t afraid to shake things up, and both Democrats and Republicans are taking notice.