Newsom's Direct Response
Governor Gavin Newsom fired back at Joe Rogan by posting from his press office account on X using Trump-style capitalization and rhetoric. Newsom wrote: 'JOE LITTLE GUY ROGAN IS TOO CHICKEN TO HAVE ME ON HIS FAILING PODCAST BECAUSE HE KNOW 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 response was triggered by Rogan calling Newsom a 'cardboard cutout of a person' and a narrative-driven politician.
Rogan's Reasons for Not Inviting Newsom
During an October episode of his podcast, when asked by comedian Andrew Schulz about having Newsom as a guest, Rogan said he would probably have invited the governor but changed his mind because of Newsom's combative social media tactics. Rogan called Newsom's tweeting style 'stupid' and 'a bad look,' stating 'This is such a bad strategy. Like I probably would have had him on, but now I'm like no, what are you doing?' He also predicted that if Newsom did appear, the governor would 'cook himself' without needing Rogan's intervention.
Pattern of Conflict
Rogan has voiced dislike for Newsom for years, citing Covid-19 regulations under Newsom's administration as the reason he moved from California to Austin, Texas in 2020. Rogan has made multiple critical statements about Newsom's governorship, including accusations about vaccine mandates, homelessness, unemployment, and the decline of Hollywood. Newsom has responded with mockery, including an earlier post where he posted 'Bawk, bawk' with a chicken emoji when Rogan initially declined to have him on the show.
Proxy Interview in 2025
The closest the two came to a public discussion occurred via the Shawn Ryan Show in 2025. Newsom appeared on the show, and Ryan agreed to ask questions about California's Covid-19 policies that were prepared by Rogan, creating an indirect conversation between the two. 
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