Gavin Newsom Reiterates 'Feud' with Joe Rogan, Calls Podcaster 'Too Chicken' to Host Him

California Governor Gavin Newsom has reignited a public exchange with podcast host Joe Rogan, questioning Rogan's willingness to engage in direct political discussion and labeling him a "bullsh*t artist." Newsom stated in a recent interview that Rogan is "too chicken" to have him on the "Joe Rogan Experience," despite Newsom's repeated attempts to secure an appearance.

During a wide-ranging interview with YouTuber Shelby Church, Newsom suggested that Rogan avoids inviting him because he is afraid of being "confronted with the bullsh*t that he spews, particularly in the political sense." Newsom, who has been seeking a platform on podcasts for nearly a year, contrasted his own approach with Rogan's, stating, "I’ve long prided myself for reaching out to the people I disagree with. The problem with Rogan is he won’t have me on."

Newsom made these remarks while onstage for a YouTube In Session event discussing issues facing California. He offered a sarcastic round of applause to Rogan, whom he also called a "tough guy." "I mean, obviously there's some anxiety and insecurity around it, for him. Cause it's threatening," Newsom told Church. "Cause I will call him on the bullsh*t."

The governor's press team has also amplified these criticisms. In May, they issued a statement, styled in all caps, asserting that "'Little Guy' Joe Rogan is too scared to have me on, but he wont stop talking about me." They added that Rogan "is obsessed with my 'good looks.'" The previous month, the team wrote, "Joe 'Little Guy' Rogan is too chicken to have me on his failing podcast because he know (sic) I'd crush him, so he takes cheap shots from the peanut gallery as he gets relegated to irrelevancy. All talk, no action. I'm ready when you are, 'Little Guy.' Or keep hiding!!!!"

This ongoing public commentary follows Rogan's past criticisms of Newsom. In July 2023, Rogan described Newsom as a "terrible" politician and a "con man" due to his handling of crime and homelessness in California. Rogan also endorsed Donald Trump prior to the 2024 election, while Trump himself appeared on Rogan's podcast.

Newsom has publicly expressed his desire to appear on Rogan's show multiple times on social media. In July, he posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Joe Rogan is too chicken to have me on his show." He later claimed Rogan had lost his chance after "bashing me on a weekly basis" for the past two years, citing a recent instance in April where Rogan reportedly called Newsom a "cardboard cut out of a person."