California Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed back Friday after podcaster Joe Rogan sharply criticized his leadership, calling him a “bulls— artist” and accusing him of overseeing the decline of his state.
Rogan, whose show remains among the most influential media platforms in the country, said during a recent episode that Newsom “wants to be president so bad,” adding, “You can’t ruin a city and ruin a state and say guys, that was just practice.” The commentator went on to say, “I think he’s terrible … he has low competition … he’s a good bulls— artist.”
The remarks reflected growing frustration from critics who point to California’s mounting social and economic challenges under Newsom’s leadership. “Everybody is leaving,” Rogan said, referring to the state’s well-documented population decline and the steady exodus of residents and businesses in recent years. He also singled out rising unemployment and homelessness rates as proof of failed leadership, adding, “He did horrible s—.”
Newsom, who has ramped up his national profile and social media presence in recent months, fired back on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, where he has frequently used his account to spar with conservative figures — and even with President Donald Trump.
While the governor has not directly responded to Rogan’s latest comments, his office has defended California’s record on job growth and innovation while blaming housing shortages and homelessness on national economic forces and local governments.
Still, Rogan’s remarks struck a chord with many Californians frustrated by the state’s trajectory. The comedian and commentator, who once lived in Los Angeles before relocating to Texas, has become one of the most vocal public figures criticizing what he describes as California’s overregulation and soft-on-crime policies.
He has often cited issues such as high taxes, rampant homelessness in major cities, and what he views as a culture of political denial surrounding the state’s problems.
Rogan’s critique also carried a political undertone, suggesting that Newsom’s ambitions may extend beyond Sacramento. “He wants to be president so bad,” Rogan said, mocking what he portrayed as the governor’s polished public image.
Newsom has long been viewed by political observers as positioning himself for a national run, traveling across the country to campaign for Democratic candidates and sparring publicly with Republican governors like Florida’s Ron DeSantis.
Rogan, who has described himself as politically independent, has voted for Democrats in the past but has increasingly leaned toward conservative positions on free speech, crime, and government overreach.
Last year, he endorsed President Trump, though he has also criticized Trump over his handling of certain issues, including the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
For Newsom, the exchange underscores both his rising national profile and the growing backlash to California’s progressive experiment. As homelessness, crime, and affordability continue to dominate headlines, critics like Rogan have found a ready audience for their message — one that views the governor’s ambitions not as leadership, but as political theater performed at the expense of a struggling state.
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