California Gov. Gavin Newsom took another swing at podcast powerhouse Joe Rogan this week, bluntly agreeing with a guest who branded the UFC commentator and comedian an “a–hole” and a “clown.”
Newsom, a Democrat, made the remark Monday during an episode of his own podcast while speaking with former Washington, D.C., metro police officer Michael Fanone.
The conversation turned to Rogan as the pair discussed Democrats, masculinity and the influence of right-leaning voices in the media.
Fanone questioned why Democrats have struggled to “combat” macho personalities such as Rogan, who hosts a top-ranked podcast in addition to working as a UFC commentator and stand-up comedian.
But Fanone made clear he wasn’t interested in finding a liberal equivalent.
“You don’t need the Joe Rogan of the left. F— Joe Rogan, that guy is an a–hole,” Fanone said.
“He is an a–hole,” Newsom quickly agreed. “Thank you.”
Fanone wasn’t finished.
“He is a complete and f—ing utter clown,” the former police officer said.
Fanone then acknowledged that he has “never really watched” Rogan’s show, though he claimed he had seen enough to form an opinion.
He described the podcast as watching Rogan work through questions and problems in real time with guests, while expressing bewilderment over why that approach has connected with an audience.
“But somehow the mechanics of that resonates with people,” Fanone said.
Newsom smirked and chuckled while his guest continued unloading on Rogan.
The discussion began after Newsom argued that the Democratic Party needed to improve its approach to “issues around masculinity.”
The California governor asked Fanone for his thoughts about the “hyper” masculinity displayed by numerous right-leaning media personalities. The conversation eventually shifted toward Rogan, prompting both men to criticize the influential podcaster.
Newsom’s latest insult adds another chapter to an already contentious relationship between the Democratic governor and Rogan.
Newsom has previously complained that Rogan is “too chicken” to invite him onto his show.
Rogan, meanwhile, has repeatedly criticized Newsom over the years, including attacks on the governor’s handling of California’s Covid-19 policies and the state’s homeless crisis.
Rogan revealed in October 2025 that he had previously been willing to invite Newsom onto his podcast.
According to Rogan, however, Newsom’s continued attacks against him on social media ultimately changed his mind about having the governor as a guest.
“This is such a bad strategy,” Rogan said at the time.
“Like I probably would have had him on, but now I’m like ‘No, what are you doing?’”
Newsom’s latest comments suggest the war of words isn’t cooling down anytime soon, with the California governor now publicly joining his podcast guest in delivering a blunt assessment of Rogan.
