CA 120: Gavin Newsom’s podcast, Part I

Governor Gavin Newsom has sparked considerable controversy with his inaugural “This is Gavin Newsom” podcast, featuring right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk.

But, before that podcast aired, and even before we knew Kirk would be the first guest, we saw in this announcement that he was going to be attempting to build a new platform to speak directly to voters, to try and hear both sides, and, in effect, try to rebrand himself.

As the Governor of the largest state in the country, with one of the largest grassroots fundraising lists in Democratic politics, high name recognition and star-power among Democratic activists, he can’t do much without someone claiming that he is running for President.

But this podcast, at this time, looks like the clearest evidence that he is headed in that direction, starting with some national repositioning in response to the Kamala Harris loss, and finding a set of messages that can win younger and more independent voters in 2028.

With that in mind, we polled California voters to ask them how they receive political coverage, if they thought politicians should be going straight to voters in a podcast format, or use more traditional media, and what they think about this podcast announcement by the Governor.

Overall we received over 1,000 responses to the survey. Of these, only 23% said that they get state and national political news from podcasts, while more, between 37-44% said that they got their information from network television news, cable television, or newspaper websites. Just over 13% cited Facebook as a source, while just 9% of voters in this survey stated that they got state and national political news from Twitter, with 6% citing TikTok, 5.5% on Threads and only 1% on Snapchat.

While not all of the respondents watched the podcast introduction video, we were able to get open-ended responses from 300 respondents who did. Sentiment analysis shows 30% of these comments to have been positive, 22% neutral, and 47% negative.

Skepticism was the greatest general theme, with a significant portion of voters across all parties viewing the podcast as a self-serving move, likely a precursor to a 2028 presidential run, rather than a genuine effort to engage with constituents. Many questioned Newsom’s trustworthiness and accused him of prioritizing personal ambition over addressing California’s pressing issues (e.g., housing, homelessness, crime, and economic challenges).

Embedded in these responses were many who were divided on Newsom’s performance as governor. Critics criticized him for ruining California with failed policies, while supporters praise his willingness to confront opposition and engage directly with the public. The poll had Newsom with a 56% favorable rating, 44% unfavorable, and among Democrats his favorability jumps to 81%, consistent with our last poll we covered in February.  But among those who disapprove of the Governor, most strongly disapprove, and are vocal about it.

In general, respondents were split on the value of politicians using podcasts. Some saw it as a positive way to reach younger or disengaged audiences, bypassing traditional media’s gatekeepers, while others criticized it as an unaccountable platform that allows politicians to push one-sided narratives without tough questioning. Among Democrats, 60% supported elected officials using podcasts more, while 40% said it would be better for them to face traditional journalists.

When asked if they were likely to watch or listen to this podcast, a majority lean toward “very unlikely” or “unlikely”, with around 35% saying that they would be somewhat to very likely.  When you look only at the respondents who had responded in an earlier question that they listen to podcasts, interest was slightly higher, with 40% saying they were likely to listen to the podcast, and among Democrats who listen to podcasts, this grew to 60%.

Below are some of the more notable (and PG-rated) comments from respondents who watched the video, broken down by political party and themes. You can also see all the raw open-ended responses broken down this way here.

Democrats (Majority of Positive Responses, Mixed with Criticism)

• • Positive Reactions: Many Democrats express enthusiasm, describing the podcast as “interesting,” “refreshing,” or a “great idea” for fostering dialogue and transparency. They appreciate Newsom’s willingness to engage with opposing views and MAGA leaders, and see it as a way to counter Trump’s influence or reach non-traditional audiences. Examples include “I’d be very interested in this Podcast. Gavin Newsom is someone I trust” and “This is what is needed now. Open and candid dialog.”
  • Cautious Optimism: Some are intrigued but skeptical about bias or effectiveness, with responses like “Interesting, I tend to like Newsom’s views on things” or “Sounds promising, but am concerned it is the same old politics.”
  • Criticism: A notable minority of Democrats are highly critical, calling Newsom “fake,” “self-serving,” or a “liar,” and accusing him of neglecting California’s issues for personal gain. For instance, “I have zero interest in a podcast from Gavin Newsom even though our politics are aligned.”

Republicans (Overwhelmingly Negative)

• • Hostility and Distrust: Republicans overwhelmingly despise Newsom, labeling him a “clown,” “liar,” “creep,” or “failure” who has “destroyed California.” Responses like “He is a clown dictator, corrupt, that has California in a huge hole” and “Sleazy Slimy Scumbag should be in Prison” reflect deep anger over his policies on taxes, immigration and homelessness.
  • Podcast as Political Stunt: Many see it as a shameless bid for the presidency, e.g., “Total waste of our tax dollars to set up a presidential run” or “There is no way for him to rehab his image with this stunt.”
  • Few Positives: A small minority acknowledge the podcast’s potential value, with one respondent stating “I’m not a fan of his policies, but respect him for having conversations with his political opponents.”

Independents (Mixed, Leaning Negative)

• • Skepticism and Moderation: Independents offer a mix of cautious interest and strong rejection. Some see potential, such as “This looks like a good opportunity for Newsom to shed his ‘traditional politician’ perception,” while others dismiss it as “propaganda and lies” or “sleazy lying sack of government.”
  • Focus on Governance: Many criticize Newsom for not focusing on California’s problems, such as “He should focus on serving Californians, not himself” and “I won’t watch it. He has lost all credibility in my eyes.”
  • Balanced Critique: A few appreciate the concept of dialogue but doubt its sincerity, such as “Sounds like a good idea if he allows for true opposition” or “Good effort but a little late.”

Overall, Democrats were the most supportive, though tempered by critiques of Newsom’s authenticity and focus. They’re the primary audience likely to tune in, valuing the podcast’s potential to bridge divides or inform.

Republicans were nearly universally hostile, viewing Newsom and the podcast as emblematic of everything they oppose. They’re the least likely to engage, often calling for his removal or even his imprisonment.

Independents and those from minor parties were a wildcard group with mixed feelings—some saw value in the format, but distrust in Newsom and frustration with California’s state overshadow any enthusiasm.

Now that this first podcast is out, we are going back into the field with a follow-up survey, asking voters if they have heard anything about the podcast and getting respondents to give feedback on a few video snippets from key segments of the interview.

More to come next week in Part 2 of this story.