From 1777 to 1979, Ronald Reagan did a radio spot called “The Reagan Minute”. In it he took on the issues of the day, gave his views and was heard all over the nation—thus making winning the GOP nomination for President easier in 1980.
Today podcasts are the big thing. Think Joe Rogan and the numerous influencers. Gavin Newsom has decided to follow the Reagan model and will have his own podcast—using iHeart radio to platform it and promote it.
“That’s the attitude Newsom said he hopes to capture as he launches his own podcast, a solo program by iHeartPodcasts titled “This is Gavin Newsom.” As our colleague Christopher Cadelago scoops today , Newsom’s podcast will feature interviews with prominent MAGA personalities, as well as the Democratic Party’s future and behind-the-scenes discussion about major decisions.
The venture comes as the governor has pivoted in recent months toward a more bipartisan and reflective tone. He’s taken a more friendly posture toward President Donald Trump , particularly as he appeals to the president for federal aid in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires. And Newsom has sought to help Democrats do deeper soul searching about the party’s message on economic issues in the wake of a lopsided defeat in 2024.
The governor has long been critical of Democrats’ reluctance to compete with Republicans’ national messaging edge on culture war issues and discomfort engaging with critical media.”
NEWSOM STARTS CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT—USING PODCAST
| California Playbook, 2/26/25 https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/26/gavin-newsom-podcast-maga-00206153 |
| THE BUZZ: VOICEOVER — Democrats are in the wilderness as they try to break through the GOP’s dominance in Washington, but Gov. Gavin Newsom has a plan: Be more like Bill Maher and get outside the party’s ideological comfort zone. That’s the attitude Newsom said he hopes to capture as he launches his own podcast, a solo program by iHeartPodcasts titled “This is Gavin Newsom.” As our colleague Christopher Cadelago scoops today , Newsom’s podcast will feature interviews with prominent MAGA personalities, as well as the Democratic Party’s future and behind-the-scenes discussion about major decisions. The venture comes as the governor has pivoted in recent months toward a more bipartisan and reflective tone. He’s taken a more friendly posture toward President Donald Trump , particularly as he appeals to the president for federal aid in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires. And Newsom has sought to help Democrats do deeper soul searching about the party’s message on economic issues in the wake of a lopsided defeat in 2024. The governor has long been critical of Democrats’ reluctance to compete with Republicans’ national messaging edge on culture war issues and discomfort engaging with critical media. “I think the biggest mistake we’ve made is staying in the warm embrace of our ideological lane,” Newsom told Chris. “And it didn’t work out for us. We are sitting here on the sidelines right now trying to figure out how to get back in the game.” In that sense, Newsom said the creative inspiration for his podcast came from Maher, the provocative HBO “Real Time” host who leans Democratic but has increasingly taken flak from progressives in recent years over his eagerness to criticize the party’s “woke” left flank. Newsom said he appreciates Maher’s ability to banter with adversaries and question the Democratic Party’s conventional thinking. “I’m asking the same questions you’re asking of me: Where the hell is the Democratic Party?” Newsom said. “What are we doing? Who are we? Where are we going? What’s the path back?” Newsom declined to say which Republicans he’s planning to have on the podcast, but said to “look at the lineup at CPAC.” The governor said he hopes his conversations with Trump-friendly personalities will offer a chance to interrogate their disagreements and break through to audiences Democrats have missed, especially in the right-wing-dominated podcast space. Newsom praised former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg ’s mantra of “go everywhere, talk to everyone.” It will be Newsom’s second go-around hosting a podcast; he’s still appearing on the sports and culture show “Politickin’” alongside friends Marshawn Lynch , the former NFL star running back, and sports agent Doug Hendrickson . His latest podcast, however, is decidedly less barbershop gabfest and far more policy-focused and analytical. It’s a lane that arguably comes more natural to Newsom, a policy wonk who’s in his comfort zone spitting out economic stats and debating the likes of Fox News host Sean Hannity and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis . But Newsom said he’s not just looking to joust with GOP personalities. He wants to call out the GOP’s moves that he finds most detestable — like slashing funding for Medicaid — at the same time he’s open to calling BS on his own party. Again, he’s taking notes from Maher: “I watch him because I appreciate how he calls balls and strikes — takes shots at both parties.” |
