California Governor Gavin Newsom escalated his war of words with podcaster Joe Rogan on Thursday, accusing the influential host of being too afraid to invite him onto his show. The attack came after Rogan described Newsom as a “cardboard cutout of a person” and a “stone-cold, narrative-driven politician” during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.
In a social media post mimicking former President Donald Trump’s all-caps style, Newsom wrote: “Joe ‘little guy’ Rogan is too chicken to have me on his failing podcast because he knows I’d crush him, so he takes cheap shots from the peanut gallery as he gets relegated to irrelevancy.” The governor signed off with his initials, a tactic Trump often uses.
Newsom’s challenge is the latest chapter in a long-running feud between the two. Rogan, who endorsed Trump just before the 2024 election, has repeatedly criticized Newsom’s handling of the Los Angeles wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The podcaster moved from California to Texas in 2020, citing frustration with state policies.
The immediate trigger for Thursday’s exchange was Rogan’s comment that “nobody wants President Newsom either,” a swipe at the governor’s potential 2028 White House bid. Rogan called Newsom a “conman” and argued that, unlike Trump, the governor lacks authenticity. “Whether you like Trump or not, you know what that guy is,” Rogan said. “With Newsom, you’ve got this construct, this cardboard cutout of a person.”
This isn’t the first time Newsom has accused Rogan of dodging a debate. Last October, when comedian Andrew Schulz jokingly asked about having Newsom on the show, Rogan dismissed the idea. He called Newsom’s online attacks “stupid” and “bad strategy,” adding that the governor would “cook himself” if given airtime. “I probably would have had him on, but now I’m like, ‘No, what are you doing?’” Rogan told Schulz.
The feud underscores the broader political tensions in California, where the governor’s race is already heating up. Chaos in California has become a recurring theme, with multiple candidates vying for influence and jockeying for 2028 positioning. Newsom’s sparring with Rogan also reflects a strategy to project strength against a popular conservative figure.
Rogan, who has become more critical of Trump in recent weeks over the military operation in Iran and immigration enforcement, remains a powerful force in media. His podcast draws millions of listeners, and his endorsement of Trump in 2024 was seen as a significant boost. Newsom’s attempt to paint Rogan as “relegated to irrelevancy” seems aimed at undermining that platform.
For now, the ball is in Rogan’s court. Newsom has made clear he’s ready to debate, but Rogan shows no signs of relenting. “All talk, no action,” Newsom wrote. “I’m ready when you are, ‘little guy.’ Or keep hiding!!!”
