For years, Gavin Newsom has been the poster child for progressive politics. He has been unapologetic in championing far-left policies, from enforcing strict lockdowns during COVID to forcing California residents to foot the bill for the latest climate change initiative to his unwavering support of LGBTQ activism to his fierce advocacy for sanctuary state policies.

Newsom has never shied away from aligning himself with the leftist agenda. But recently, something seems … off.

The launch of the California governor’s podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom,” wherein guests sit down and chat with the Democrat darling, has caused a stir in his own party. Some are starting to worry that he is becoming too moderate and getting too close for comfort to the conservative side of the aisle.

Prominent conservative figures such as Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon have been among the first to “bite.” Both accepted invitations to sit down with the governor to discuss the issues that matter to everyday people — a rare occurrence for Democrats.

During his conversation with Kirk, Newsom voiced opinions that, to the shock of many, sound suspiciously conservative. For example, boys competing against girls is deeply unfair. He didn’t go so far as to say why it’s unfair, though, likely wanting to avoid acknowledging the biological differences that would contradict progressive narratives. But even this basic comment was enough to outrage his leftist base. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, San Francisco Chronicle political writer Joe Garofoli called Newsom’s statement “deeply disappointing to them,” referring to the LGBTQ community, which has become synonymous with California over the last several years.

Another eyebrow-raising moment came during the March 12 episode of the podcast when Newsom sat down with Steve Bannon. Despite previously opposing almost everything President Donald Trump has advocated for, Gavin nodded in agreement to at least some of the policies that Trump has implemented recently, specifically regarding tariffs and other economic issues. Despite the many topics covered in the almost hour-long conversation between the two men, CNN focused on a brief comment where Bannon pointed to the 2020 election, saying he understood that he and Newsom disagreed on the legitimacy of the results. Bannon quickly moved on to the significantly more important matter of securing our elections, but CNN had to CNN. The network fixated on election denialism and influenced what few viewers it has left to worry about Newsom not pushing back on this claim.

CNN’s Dana Bash shared her thoughts on the exchange: “When Steve Bannon says the election was stolen … and the Democratic governor of California — the fifth-largest economy in the world — does not correct him on that, that surprised me.”

The New York Times whined, “While there is, in fact, a lot that Democrats can learn from Kirk and Bannon about building alternative media channels, there is nothing to be gained by flattering them or seeking mutual understanding.”

It seems as if Newsom’s own base feels the same. A March 19 Newsweek poll revealed that his favorability in California dropped after his podcast appearances, with 26% of voters reporting a worsened view of him. Leftists on social media have branded him a “traitor” and “trash” for giving a platform to conservative voices. The Independent ran an article condemning his actions as “utterly contemptible.”

Nevertheless, Newsom shows no signs of slowing down. While speaking with political pundit Bill Maher on his show, Newsom labeled the Democrat brand as “toxic,” noting the party’s historic drop in favorability overall.

Despite this sudden shift in tone, conservatives remain skeptical. Newsom has spent years demonizing the Right, labeling Donald Trump a “threat to democracy,” and implementing policies that have driven Californians out of the state in droves. His new rhetoric reeks of opportunism rather than a genuine ideological shift.

No one in the conservative movement is falling for his act. The idea that having a few conversations with Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon will erase Newsom’s abysmal track record is laughable. His history of supporting radical leftist policies — from embracing the riots of 2020 to allowing California’s nicest cities to be overrun with drugs and homelessness — cannot be forgotten. One conservative podcast host wrote: “The more I think about this, the angrier I get. A governor shouldn’t need a podcast to communicate with his constituents. This is LITERALLY YOUR JOB EVERY DAY. If you need a podcast, you’re failing. SPOILER ALERT: you’re failing.”

The timing of this pivot is telling. With Trump back in the White House in 2025 and a resurgent conservative movement sweeping the nation, Newsom likely sees the writing on the wall. Democrats suffered devastating losses in the 2024 elections, and the progressive brand has become something of a plague to everyday Americans.

By leaving these breadcrumbs — acknowledging fairness concerns in sports and agreeing on economic policy with conservative influencers — Newsom appears to be trying to reposition himself as a moderate. While some believe that no conservative should play along and sit down in Newsom’s studio, concerned that this might help him with his political aspirations, the win for conservatives is the ability to expose more leftists to our ideas without the usual media filter or hostile interruptions they would encounter on mainstream platforms. Kirk and Bannon have used these discussions to articulate conservative principles effectively while calling out Newsom’s hypocrisy in real time.

If Newsom truly believes that boys in girls’ sports is unfair, will he back up that statement with action? Will he stand against the radical activists who, ironically, he helped embolden? Or will he retreat the moment the Left begins its inevitable backlash?

Based on most reactions, no one believes this is a true transformation. Plus, we have seen this before. Only a few months ago, Kamala Harris tried the same fake moderation to the middle. The American people saw through that smokescreen, and I think they can sniff this one out, too.