Newsom Aligns With Conservatives Amid 2028 Presidential Speculation

Man speaking at podium with microphones.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s new podcast featuring conversations with right-wing figures has sparked speculation about his potential 2028 presidential ambitions, while conservative commentator Charlie Kirk warns Republicans not to underestimate the calculated political strategy behind Newsom’s surprising pivot toward bipartisan dialogue.

Key Takeaways

Governor Newsom launched a podcast featuring conversations with MAGA figures including Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, signaling a possible centrist pivot ahead of 2028.
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk warns Republicans that Newsom has “a shark’s instincts” and is deliberately rebranding himself for presidential ambitions.
Left-leaning commentators like Sunny Hostin have criticized Newsom’s podcast strategy as ineffective and potentially alienating to his Democratic base.
Newsom’s approach represents a significant departure from his previous strong anti-Republican rhetoric in official addresses.
The podcast has drawn criticism for its congenial tone toward controversial conservative figures without substantively challenging their positions.

Calculated Strategy or Political Misstep?

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to launch a podcast featuring conversations with conservative figures has generated substantial buzz across the political spectrum. The podcast represents a dramatic shift from Newsom’s typically combative stance toward Republican politicians. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and the first guest on Newsom’s podcast, engaged in what was described as a mostly cordial conversation with the Democratic governor, despite their significant ideological differences.

Kirk later warned fellow conservatives about Newsom’s political agility in a Fox News op-ed, suggesting the governor’s centrist positioning is a deliberate strategy aimed at broadening his appeal for a potential 2028 presidential run. The podcast aims to make public the private conversations Newsom has with political figures from both sides of the aisle, with particular emphasis on engaging with MAGA movement representatives.

Conservative Warning About Newsom’s Ambitions

Following his appearance on Newsom’s podcast, Charlie Kirk issued a stark warning to Republicans about underestimating the California governor. Kirk characterized Newsom as possessing considerable political instincts and suggested that the governor is deliberately attempting to rewrite his political record to improve his chances for a White House bid. Kirk identified specific policy areas where he believes voters should scrutinize Newsom’s record, including crime, economic policies, and social issues in California.

“One thing I learned in my podcast experience: The governor isn’t a joke. He has a shark’s instincts and is hoping that voters will have a goldfish’s memory. He knows his current record can’t win him the White House, and so he’s trying to rewrite what that record is. The conservatives he speaks with in the weeks to come shouldn’t let him,” wrote Charlie Kirk.

Kirk highlighted issues plaguing California under Newsom’s leadership, including widespread shoplifting problems and significant population exodus from the state. These criticisms point to potential vulnerabilities Newsom might face if he pursues higher office. The conservative commentator also recalled how Newsom appeared unprepared to discuss certain policy positions during their conversation, interpreting this as a deliberate political tactic rather than genuine uncertainty.

Newsom seems to be a shapeshifter on policy & principles. “Buttigieg, Newsom, Pritzer among the Democrats making early moves in the 2028 presidential race | Fox News.” https://t.co/P4a0lhQX4F

— Anthony Bradley (@drantbradley) March 13, 2025

Criticism From The Left

While conservatives express concern about Newsom’s political strategy, the governor has also faced criticism from the left. Sunny Hostin of “The View” expressed disappointment in Newsom’s approach, specifically questioning his decision to engage with figures like Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk without more forcefully challenging their viewpoints. Her comments highlight the potential risk Newsom faces in alienating his Democratic base while attempting to broaden his appeal.

“I just think this is a poor strategy for Gavin Newsom,” Sunny Hostin said.

Hostin referenced Newsom’s previous State of the State address, which positioned California as a counterweight to right-wing populism. This contrast between Newsom’s official rhetoric and his congenial podcast approach has sparked questions about his authentic political identity. Critics have suggested that Newsom should focus more on his gubernatorial responsibilities rather than engaging in what appears to be self-promotional activities designed to position himself for a future presidential run.

Presidential Ambitions and Political Rebranding

The timing of Newsom’s podcast launch, coming in 2025 with President Trump now in office, has fueled speculation about the governor’s national ambitions. Kirk directly addressed this motivation, stating that Newsom “wants to be president more than any living person” and describing the podcast as “clearly a product of that ambition.” This assessment aligns with the observations of political analysts who view the podcast as part of a broader strategy to raise Newsom’s national profile.

“Newsom wants to be president more than any living person. … He is an ambitious man, and his new podcast is clearly a product of that ambition,” said Kirk.

Some media reviews have characterized the podcast’s initial episodes as awkward and unlikely to significantly boost Newsom’s presidential prospects. The podcast has drawn particular criticism for its seemingly fawning tone toward controversial figures and a lack of substantive engagement on policy issues. Whether Newsom’s attempt at bipartisan dialogue represents genuine political evolution or merely strategic positioning remains a point of significant debate as attention begins to turn toward potential candidates for 2028.