When the worlds of podcasting and late-night satire collide, sparks are guaranteed. But nobody expected California Governor Gavin Newsom to find himself at the epicenter of a live, on-air critique that left viewers talking for days. In a recent media crossover, Joe Rogan and Greg Gutfeld—two masters of unscripted candor—joined forces to dissect the glossy image of California’s leadership, and the results were nothing short of explosive.
California, long marketed as the land of dreams, innovation, and endless sunshine, has faced mounting criticism over its handling of wildfires, homelessness, and economic challenges. Governor Gavin Newsom, with his camera-ready hair and polished speeches, has often been the face of both the state’s ambitions and its controversies. But as recent wildfires raged—destroying thousands of homes and leaving families devastated—Newsom’s response drew fire of a different kind. It wasn’t just the usual political opposition; this time, it was a full-on media blitz from two of America’s most influential commentators.
Joe Rogan, who famously left California for the open spaces of Texas, didn’t mince words. On his podcast, he described the disconnect between the state’s suffering residents and the political pageantry on display. “People’s lives are in ashes, their homes gone, their memories burned,” Rogan observed. “And yet, while the fires were still raging, the governor was talking about land use and speculators, almost as if he was already planning the next development, not the recovery.” Rogan’s criticism wasn’t just about policy—it was about empathy. He highlighted the frustration of Californians who watched their leaders focus on image and future plans, while the present burned around them. The exodus of residents and businesses from California, Rogan argued, is no coincidence: “I moved for a reason. People are leaving, businesses are fleeing, homelessness is out of control.”
Enter Greg Gutfeld, Fox News’ resident satirist, who took the critique to another level. Gutfeld’s signature style—sharp, irreverent, and unafraid to poke fun—was on full display as he lampooned Newsom’s public persona. “Gavin Newsom doesn’t just walk into a room—he struts in like it’s the finale of a political fashion show,” Gutfeld quipped. “He looks like a cologne ad, but governs like he’s speedrunning Sim City on nightmare mode.”
But beneath the jokes was a serious point: Gutfeld argued that California’s biggest problems—homelessness, high taxes, energy instability—aren’t being solved by speeches and photo ops. Instead, he claimed, residents are left juggling sky-high rent, rolling blackouts, and a cost of living that’s driving families out of the state.
Both Rogan and Gutfeld called out what they saw as a double standard: rules that apply to ordinary people, but not to the political elite. Rogan referenced the infamous French Laundry incident, when Newsom was photographed dining indoors at an exclusive restaurant while much of the state was under strict COVID restrictions. Gutfeld added, “It’s like dystopia threw on a wellness robe and started doing guided meditations. Tent cities on one side, $15 smoothies on the other, and somehow we’re supposed to believe everything’s fine because the governor’s podcast has a great trailer.”
