California Gov. Newsom Says He’s ‘Moving On’ From Joe Rogan, Questions Podcaster’s ‘Confidence’ For Debate

Joe Rogan

California Governor Gavin Newsom claimed Monday evening on CNN that he is “moving on” from popular podcast host Joe Rogan, while simultaneously questioning whether Rogan was “worried” about having him as a guest.

Newsom’s comments came during an interview with CNN’s Elex Michaelson, who played a clip from an October 18 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience where the host told comedian Andrew Schultz he wouldn’t have the governor on his show, suggesting Newsom would “cook himself.”

“For years and years, he’s been attacking me, and it’s one way, and he won’t have me on. He’s consistently not had on me. By the way, I’m moving on. I have no interest,” Newsom responded. He went on to dismiss the podcast’s importance, calling Rogan the “Facebook of podcasting.”

Rogan’s show is consistently ranked as Spotify’s No. 1 podcast, drawing an estimated 16 to 24 million downloads each month. When Michaelson pushed back on Newsom’s dismissal by noting the podcast’s massive reach, the governor doubled down.

“You know what? But with all due respect, if he has a big audience, but he doesn’t have big enough confidence, I didn’t go there, to have me on,” Newsom said.

The exchange follows weeks of public back-and-forth between the two figures. Earlier in October, Newsom appeared on the YouTube show “Higher Learning” and directly challenged Rogan, who had previously labeled the governor a “bullshit artist” who had ruined California.

“I’m not afraid to go — I’m punching Joe Rogan, that son of a b—h is not used to that,” Newsom said on the show. “He’s gonna dismiss it, he’s gonna laugh it off, tough guy and all that. But is he gonna have me on? I don’t know.”

Michaelson noted that Newsom had called Rogan a “chicken,” to which the governor reiterated that the podcast host had been “attacking” him.

“The unwillingness for a guy like that to even have the common courtesy to attack someone and not have the decency to say, ‘You know what, why don’t you have a chance to come on? Let’s have a civil dialogue,’” Newsom stated.

Newsom compared the situation to his appearances on other major platforms, including those hosted by figures close to Rogan and major conservative commentators. “If I can go on Sean Ryan and Sean Hannity, what are you worried about? What are you, Joe, you’re going to cook me or I’m going to cook myself,” he asked.

Rogan has hosted numerous political figures across the spectrum. He notably interviewed President Donald Trump just before the 2024 election and extended an invitation to former Vice President Kamala Harris, who was unable to commit.

READ: Joe Rogan Says Trump Should Run For California Governor To ‘Fix It’ And ‘Troll Liberals’

Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.

Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.