California Governor Gavin Newsom recently reignited his ongoing feud with podcast host Joe Rogan during an episode of his own podcast featuring former DC police officer Michael Fanone. The conversation centered on what Newsom characterizes as the rise of problematic masculine figures on the right, including Rogan and controversial internet personality Andrew Tate.
During the discussion, Fanone launched into a harsh criticism of Rogan, calling him a complete and utter clown. Newsom appeared to agree with the assessment, creating a moment that has drawn attention to the Democratic Party’s struggle to counter influential voices in alternative media spaces.
Fanone said, “How is it that the Democratic party hasn’t figured out a way to combat this? To come up with like an alternative? Like you don’t need the Joe Rogan of the left. F**k Joe Rogan, he’s an a**hole.”
Newsome appeared to agree, saying, “He’s an a**hole. We share that [feeling].”
The feud between Newsom and Rogan has been building for some time. The governor has repeatedly challenged Rogan to invite him as a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, while the podcaster has been vocal in his criticism of Newsom’s leadership in California and has stated he would not make a good president.
However, political commentators analyzing the exchange noted significant issues with the comparison. They pointed out that grouping Rogan and Tate together is fundamentally unfair.
While Rogan hosts long-form conversations and expresses opinions that draw both agreement and disagreement, Tate faces serious legal allegations and promotes messages that many consider genuinely harmful to young men and women.
Analysts described Rogan as temperamentally moderate, noting that while he sometimes allows guests to present controversial ideas without sufficient pushback, he does not encourage harmful behavior. His podcast style tends to let guests speak freely unless they touch on topics he feels strongly about, which can make him appear overly accepting of questionable claims, particularly regarding scientific matters.
Newsom’s podcast venture seems to demonstrate strength as he positions himself for a potential 2028 presidential run.
