Joe Rogan Slams Gavin Newsom as California Faces Escalating Crisis

Podcaster and cultural commentator Joe Rogan is no stranger to controversy — but his latest remarks have sparked a political firestorm. In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the outspoken host delivered a scathing critique of California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of gross mismanagement and calling the state’s current state of affairs “an avoidable disaster.”

“California is crumbling,” Rogan said bluntly during a discussion with tech entrepreneur and frequent guest Marc Andreessen. “It’s not just the homelessness. It’s the crime, the cost of living, the businesses fleeing the state — and Newsom wants to pretend everything’s fine.”

The episode, which quickly climbed to the top of Spotify’s trending chart, featured a 15-minute segment where Rogan laid out what he sees as California’s descent into dysfunction — and put the blame squarely on Newsom’s shoulders.

“A State Falling Apart in Real Time”

Rogan cited a laundry list of issues plaguing the state: rising violent crime rates in major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, a growing housing crisis, rampant drug use in public spaces, and a mass exodus of both individuals and businesses to states like Texas and Florida.

“What’s wild,” Rogan continued, “is that instead of fixing these problems, they double down on policies that made them worse. Rent control, soft-on-crime DAs, overregulation — it’s like watching a slow-motion car crash.”

Rogan, who moved from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas in 2020, has long criticized California’s political climate. But his latest remarks come at a time when Newsom is reportedly eyeing a potential national political role — even being floated as a 2028 presidential contender. That, Rogan said, makes the stakes even higher.

“If he can’t run California without it falling apart, how the hell is he going to run a country?” Rogan asked rhetorically. “What’s the sales pitch — ‘Vote for me, I turned the Golden State into a ghost town’?”

Newsom Responds — Sort Of

Governor Newsom has not directly responded to Rogan’s comments, but a spokesperson for the governor’s office issued a statement defending the administration’s record.

“California remains the world’s fourth-largest economy, with record job growth, innovation, and investment,” the statement read. “While challenges remain, Governor Newsom has taken bold steps to address housing, safety, and climate change — not run from them.”

Critics of Rogan argue that he oversimplifies complex issues and fuels outrage without offering solutions. Supporters, however, praise his willingness to say what many feel — that California, once a beacon of prosperity, is in deep trouble.

A Battle of Influence

Whether one agrees with Rogan or not, his influence is undeniable. With millions of loyal listeners, his words carry weight — particularly with younger, politically independent audiences.

As California continues to wrestle with its growing pains, and as Newsom’s national profile rises, the clash between media voices like Rogan and political leaders like Newsom may become a recurring — and defining — battle in American discourse.