California Governor Gavin Newsom’s new podcast, which features discussions with notable supporters of President Trump, is sparking debate about his political maneuvers as he concludes his term as governor and considers a presidential bid in 2028. The podcast, titled “This is Gavin Newsom,” includes episodes where Newsom engages with conservative personalities such as Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, and even diverges from typical Democratic viewpoints, particularly on the topic of transgender athletes in women’s sports, which he described as “deeply unfair.”

The podcast appears to be a strategic shift toward the political center, possibly in preparation for a future White House campaign. “I think he’s playing the long game here. He realizes that he’s got a lot of runway between now and the 2028 election,” commented Matt Klink, a California Republican strategist. Klink noted that Newsom is “positioning himself more as a moderate Democrat who is at least willing to listen to the thought leaders that are shaping the Republican narrative.”

Newsom has described his podcast as an opportunity to “change the conversation” by engaging directly with a diverse array of guests, including those he disagrees with, admires, and the listeners themselves. His initial episodes have featured discussions with right-wing media figure Charlie Kirk, conservative talk show host Michael Savage, and Steve Bannon, former chief strategist in the Trump White House.

“He wants to be a middle-of-the-road Democrat. He tries to position himself more of a Bill Clinton-esque Democrat that can touch close enough to center, so that he can touch a little bit to the right and still move as far left as he needs to win a Democratic primary. He’s trying to navigate precarious waters,” Klink explained.

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This approach mirrors tactics used by other politicians, such as Pete Buttigieg during his 2019 presidential campaign, and even Donald Trump’s 2024 strategy to attract young male voters through podcasts. “Maybe it’s that young male voter or somebody like that who his internal research has shown that he has a chance at appealing to,” said former California Assemblymember Mike Gatto.

However, Newsom’s choice of podcast guests has not been without controversy, particularly among Democrats. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed approval of bringing diverse voices to the platform but criticized the inclusion of Bannon. Former Representative Adam Kinzinger was shocked by Newsom’s decision to host Bannon, citing the sacrifices many Republicans made to oppose Bannon’s ideologies.

Newsom’s comments on transgender athletes have also drawn criticism from LGBTQ advocates, with ACLU California Action expressing disappointment and anger. Yet, Gatto defended Newsom, arguing that the governor was not “platforming” anyone since figures like Kirk and Bannon already command significant audiences.

Despite the potential risks, experts believe Newsom’s podcast is a calculated move to lay the groundwork for a presidential run. “I think every move that Governor Newsom makes is calculated and calibrated as to how it impacts the future run for him,” a Democratic strategist remarked. Klink suggested that Newsom is using the podcast to better understand Republican and MAGA arguments to effectively counter them with Democratic solutions if he runs for higher office.

As speculation about a 2028 presidential run increases, Newsom faces criticism for appearing opportunistic and potentially flip-flopping, especially given his previous role as a prominent opponent of Trump. “A lot of people are still going to say you took this position in 2023, you signed legislation in 2024 and then you said something a little bit different in 2025,” Gatto stated, highlighting the credibility challenges Newsom might face.

California Republican strategist Rob Stutzman pointed out that Newsom has always been a politician who adapts to changing circumstances, suggesting that exploring a more centrist approach might be his strategy for a potential presidential campaign. “I think he’s figured out the way forward for a politician like him, if he’s going to run for president, is probably to start exploring, will anyone follow him into a lane that is more dismissive, particularly on culture, of where the Democrats have been for the past decade?” Stutzman concluded.