{"id":151423,"date":"2026-01-27T10:27:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T10:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/151423\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T10:27:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T10:27:13","slug":"california-progressives-think-newsom-courting-conservatives-on-his-podcast-is-a-tough-swallow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/151423\/","title":{"rendered":"California progressives think Newsom courting conservatives on his podcast is a ‘tough swallow’"},"content":{"rendered":"

California progressives think Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a> courting conservatives on his podcast is a “tough swallow,” as speculation grows that he will run for president in 2028.<\/p>\n

One progressive from the state said while Newsom has made a few policy decisions that have upset the left, the more concerning issue was the “political choices” of the governor.<\/p>\n

“The bigger issues are on political choices like interviewing Kirk, Bannon, and [Ben] Shapiro,”\u00a0said Elizabeth Ashford<\/a>, a California-based communications adviser. Ashford formerly served as Kamala Harris\u2019s chief of staff when the former vice president was California’s attorney general.<\/p>\n

“No matter how it\u2019s framed, a sitting governor giving these guys airtime is legitimizing,” she said. “For progressives, choices like that are a tough swallow.”<\/p>\n

\"Newsom<\/p>\n

As California Gov. Gavin Newsom sought to brand himself as a centrist, distancing himself from typically far-left California progressives, he faced an uphill battle in trying to balance representing both progressives and centrists.<\/p>\n

(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Newsom\u2019s Davos Detour: 5 Cringe Moments That Overshadowed High-profile Summit<\/a><\/p>\n

On a “This is Gavin Newsom” podcast episode that aired on Jan. 15, Newsom agreed with Daily Wire founder<\/a> Ben Shapiro that transgender issues are one of the great deal-breaker issues for the Democratic Party.<\/p>\n

Read On The Fox News App<\/a><\/p>\n

Newsom said in a March 2025 interview with Charlie Kirk that biological men in women\u2019s sports is an issue of fairness, calling it “deeply unfair<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

Ashford is one of the few progressives in California that spoke with The Hill about Newsom’s potential presidential campaign.<\/p>\n

Treasury Chief Unloads On Gavin Newsom\u2019s Davos Stunt, Mocks Governor\u2019s \u2018Brain The Size Of A Walnut\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

“In some ways Newsom is in a vice because he has to deal with the baggage of being perceived as a too-far leftie from California but he doesn\u2019t fully get the flip side of the equation of getting full-throated support from the base,” a Democratic strategist told The Hill.<\/p>\n

“He is adored by the MSNBC wine mom crowd because of his Trump trolling, but when the actual primary kicks into high gear, primary voters are going to quickly learn about his record and policies that have disappointed a lot of people and groups in California<\/a>,” the strategist added.<\/p>\n

Newsom Shows Off Trump ‘Kneepads,’ Concedes White House Feud Is ‘Deeply Unbecoming’<\/a><\/p>\n

“Newsom has frustrated \u2014 and sometimes angered \u2014 parts of his progressive base at home on issues ranging from workers\u2019 rights to his support for sweeping housing deregulation,” the Hill reported.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

California progressives think Gov. Gavin Newsom courting conservatives on his podcast is a “tough swallow,” as he bids for the presidency in 2028.<\/p>\n

As progressives across the state share concern about Newsom\u2019s policies, Ashford said the backlash is typical for governors passing laws.<\/p>\n

“Sure, progressives have been irritated about some of his policy choices, like cutting environmental reviews for housing construction, and raising penalties for smash-and-grab. But that\u2019s just normal governor stuff,” Ashford said. “You\u2019re never going to make everyone happy on laws \u2014 nor should you.”<\/p>\n

Newsom’s office didn’t immediately responded to a request for comment.<\/p>\n

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