California – California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a stark assessment of the Democratic Party’s struggles during a Friday night appearance on HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher, declaring that the party’s brand is “toxic” and urging fellow Democrats to acknowledge their missteps.
Newsom’s remarks come as Democrats attempt to regroup following their defeats in the 2024 election, which saw President Donald Trump reclaim the White House and Republicans secure control of both chambers of Congress. Newsom, once seen as a fierce liberal warrior, has since embraced a more introspective approach, launching a podcast titled This Is Gavin Newsom to examine the party’s failures and explore potential paths forward.
“The Democratic brand is toxic right now,” Newsom told Maher, referencing an NBC News poll that placed the party’s favorability at just 27%, the lowest in decades. He criticized Democrats for being insular, overly judgmental, and engaging in what he described as “cancel culture” instead of engaging with political opponents.
“We talk down to people,” he said. “We talk past people.”
Maher, a frequent critic of left-wing orthodoxy despite his liberal views, agreed. “You have to [engage with the other side],” he responded. “They won.”
Newsom’s self-examination has drawn fire from some within his party, particularly over his podcast, which has featured controversial right-wing figures such as Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon. Some Democrats accused Newsom of legitimizing extremist viewpoints, but the governor defended his willingness to engage.
“This idea that we can’t even have a conversation with the other side?” Newsom said, pushing back against critics.
Newsom also hosted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 2024, for a discussion on what went wrong for Democrats in the last election. “This is an existential moment, and our unity against Trump is not increasing our trust, it’s not helping the Democratic brand,” Newsom told Walz.
He is not alone in his concerns. On Friday, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) echoed Newsom’s warning, telling Politico that Democrats would be in a “permanent minority” if they failed to course-correct.
Newsom’s remarks have sparked debate among Democrats, with some pushing back against his characterization of the party’s brand. California Rep. Ro Khanna, a potential 2028 presidential contender, dismissed Newsom’s critique, urging Democrats to focus their outrage on Trump rather than their own party.
“This is not the time to join the chorus in bashing our party,” Khanna wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The rage should be about what Trump is doing TODAY. Let’s share what our party has done & offer a forward vision for the future.”
Newsom also waded into another controversial topic, reiterating his stance that it is “deeply unfair” for transgender athletes to compete in female sports. While his position won approval from Maher, the host pressed him on a California law that prevents schools from requiring teachers to inform parents when students seek to change their gender identity. The Trump administration recently declared the law a violation of federal policy.
Newsom defended the legislation, arguing that its intent was to protect teachers who “did not report or snitch on a kid talking about their gender identity.”
“What is the job of a teacher? It’s to teach,” Newsom said. “I just think that was fair.”
Newsom’s increasing national profile has fueled speculation that he may seek the presidency in 2028. Maher, who has repeatedly urged Newsom to run, directly asked him about his ambitions.
“Are you going to do it or not?” Maher pressed.
Newsom left the door open while avoiding a direct answer. “I deeply respect the question,” he said. “But I don’t have any grand plans as it respects that.”
For now, Newsom appears content to challenge his own party, urging Democrats to reflect, recalibrate, and reconnect with voters before it’s too late.
