Gavin Newsom Criticizes Democrats, Calls Party "Toxic" and "Judgmental"

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom took aim at his own party, arguing that Democrats have become too toxic and dismissive of opposing views. Appearing on Real Time with Bill Maher, Newsom expressed frustration with the party’s unwillingness to engage with ideological opponents, suggesting that this attitude is hurting Democrats in elections.

Time to break out of our echo chambers. pic.twitter.com/KKn8zRDLEk

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 29, 2025

 

“This idea that we can’t even have a conversation with the other side … or the notion we just have to continue to talk to ourselves or win the same damn echo chamber, these guys are crushing us,” he said, referring to Republicans’ recent electoral success. He went on to state bluntly, “The Democratic brand is toxic right now. We talk down to people. We talk past people.”

 

Newsom defended his decision to invite controversial conservative figures such as former White House adviser Steve Bannon and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk onto his podcast, This Is Gavin Newsom. Some Democrats have criticized him for “platforming” right-wing voices, but the governor insisted that his goal is to foster discussion, not division.

 

 

“With this podcast and having the opportunity to dialogue with people I disagree with, it’s an opportunity to try to find common ground and not take cheap shots,” he explained. “I’m not looking to put a spoke in the wheel of their or … a crowbar in the spokes of their wheel to trip them up.”

 

His remarks come at a time when the Democratic Party is struggling with historically low favorability ratings. A recent NBC News poll showed that only 27 percent of respondents had a positive view of the party, while a CNN survey found that 54 percent of Americans held a negative opinion. These numbers represent a stark shift from before Donald Trump took office in 2017 when only 48 percent of respondents viewed Democrats unfavorably.

 

Newsom suggested that the party’s embrace of cancel culture and personal attacks has contributed to its declining popularity. “Democrats, we tend to be a little more judgmental than we should be,” he told Maher. “This notion of cancel culture… You’ve been living it, you’ve been on the receiving end of it for years and years and years. That’s real.”

 

“Democrats need to own up to that,” he added. “They’ve got to mature.”

 

Newsom, who is widely seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, is not the only Democrat to express concerns about the party’s direction. Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Bernie Sanders of Vermont have also offered criticism and advice on how Democrats should move forward.

 

Based on a report by The Hill  2025-03-31

 

 

Gavin helped make the Dems toxic. 

Quote

Newsom defended his decision to invite controversial conservative figures such as former White House adviser Steve Bannon and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk onto his podcast, This Is Gavin Newsom. Some Democrats have criticized him for “platforming” right-wing voices, but the governor insisted that his goal is to foster discussion, not division.

 

This is a huge problem with the left. They want to live in an echo chamber.

4 minutes ago, TedG said:

 

This is a huge problem with the left. They want to live in an echo chamber.

 

That's the only place their policies pass muster.

 

Isnt this guy the one fighting for california to keep the right to commit voter fraud?

Leopard doesn't change it's spots. He's now lying through his teeth because he wants a run a POTUS. As for toxic the party and it's supporters are complete and utter toxic losers which for example is reflected on this forum. 

At least Bill Maher had the dignity to gradually awaken to his misguided world view over a number of years, and is semi-believable, at least for a lefty.

 

Does anybody really think Gavin Newsom has instantaneously red-pilled, or this is just a ploy in his bid for a presidential run.? I think the latter.

Newsome reminds me a lot of Starmer.

 

He'll say anything and throw anyone under the bus to get votes. A shameful liar. 

 

As soon as he gets elected he will revert to type. 

Newsome is certainly not any better the the run of the mill Marxist Democrat.  To me he appears a little dumber than the avg Democrat official.

26 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Does anybody really think Gavin Newsom has instantaneously red-pilled, or this is just a ploy in his bid for a presidential run.? I think the latter.

 

Quite.  He strikes me as someone who was a super liberal lefty when he thought it was popular, but now that people are starting to change their minds he's suddenly starting to change too.  Trying to make out he was never into any of the things that people are laughing/angry at now.

7 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

Newsome is certainly not any better the the run of the mill Marxist Democrat.  To me he appears a little dumber than the avg Democrat official.

 

Yeah, but his hair  is  perfect!

Under him north LA was burned down and left a toxic mess.

He does not want the owners to rebuild.

He outlawed gasoline lawnmowers.

The list goes on and on.

So he is the toxic one , fits nicely in the toxic democrat party.

Absolute nightmare if he becomes president.

Our residents you know what jumped on this like a steaming pile of you know what.in the real world the governor presides over the state that has the 5th largest economy on the planet is a hotbed of creativity.not for freeloading tho ya gotta work it’s expensive and a bit overtaxed imo.don’t underestimate this guy he’s wicked smart thinks on his feet and has the facts verbatim on hand under pressure.

Gavs knows on what side his bread gets buttered.

 

Reminds me of unelected PM Carns up in Canaduh, backpedaling on the carbon tax now that it's universally loathed.

 

Oh well.

 

These guys got the key cards.

This will upset all the expat anti-Trumpers on this and other Forums who believe the propaganda of the legacy media that Trump is an evil Nazi dictator who is stealing the nation's money and ending Democracy while the Democrat-Marxist party is perfect.  Newsom will now be cancelled by the Radical Left and all sorts of charges will be laid against him. How dare he step out of line!

2 hours ago, TedG said:

 

This is a huge problem with the left. They want to live in an echo chamber.

When Republicans make an accusation it is really a confession.  Here's an example. 

3 hours ago, TedG said:

 

This is a huge problem with the left. They want to live in an echo chamber.

.... as so with the right. 

 

There is no middle ground in the American politics anymore. 

 

Only endless culture wars over trivialities in echo chambers at either end of a political spectrum that's narrowed from right-wing to extreme right wing. 

 

Meanwhile, democracy notwithstanding, the Chinese are building infrastructure, spurring technologically development, dedestertification and green energy solutions. 

 

Regardless of the outcome of upcoming elections in the US, decades of self-destructive policies have bleed the middle class and depleted infrastructure all for a bloated military-industrial complex and the pockets of the billionaire oligarch 0.1%.

7 hours ago, Tug said:

Our residents you know what jumped on this like a steaming pile of you know what.in the real world the governor presides over the state that has the 5th largest economy on the planet is a hotbed of creativity.not for freeloading tho ya gotta work it’s expensive and a bit overtaxed imo.don’t underestimate this guy he’s wicked smart thinks on his feet and has the facts verbatim on hand under pressure.

OMG….Gavin is an example of <deleted> up bump up. 

6 hours ago, amexpat said:

When Republicans make an accusation it is really a confession.  Here's an example. 

 

You live the left in an echo chamber. 

6 hours ago, amexpat said:

When Republicans make an accusation it is really a confession.  Here's an example. 

 

Also, you lefties all sound the same. 

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Gavin Newsom Criticizes Democrats, Calls Party "Toxic" and "Judgmental"

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom took aim at his own party, arguing that Democrats have become too toxic and dismissive of opposing views. Appearing on Real Time with Bill Maher, Newsom expressed frustration with the party’s unwillingness to engage with ideological opponents, suggesting that this attitude is hurting Democrats in elections.

 

“This idea that we can’t even have a conversation with the other side … or the notion we just have to continue to talk to ourselves or win the same damn echo chamber, these guys are crushing us,” he said, referring to Republicans’ recent electoral success. He went on to state bluntly, “The Democratic brand is toxic right now. We talk down to people. We talk past people.”

 

Newsom defended his decision to invite controversial conservative figures such as former White House adviser Steve Bannon and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk onto his podcast, This Is Gavin Newsom. Some Democrats have criticized him for “platforming” right-wing voices, but the governor insisted that his goal is to foster discussion, not division.

 

 

“With this podcast and having the opportunity to dialogue with people I disagree with, it’s an opportunity to try to find common ground and not take cheap shots,” he explained. “I’m not looking to put a spoke in the wheel of their or … a crowbar in the spokes of their wheel to trip them up.”

 

His remarks come at a time when the Democratic Party is struggling with historically low favorability ratings. A recent NBC News poll showed that only 27 percent of respondents had a positive view of the party, while a CNN survey found that 54 percent of Americans held a negative opinion. These numbers represent a stark shift from before Donald Trump took office in 2017 when only 48 percent of respondents viewed Democrats unfavorably.

 

Newsom suggested that the party’s embrace of cancel culture and personal attacks has contributed to its declining popularity. “Democrats, we tend to be a little more judgmental than we should be,” he told Maher. “This notion of cancel culture… You’ve been living it, you’ve been on the receiving end of it for years and years and years. That’s real.”

 

“Democrats need to own up to that,” he added. “They’ve got to mature.”

 

Newsom, who is widely seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, is not the only Democrat to express concerns about the party’s direction. Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Bernie Sanders of Vermont have also offered criticism and advice on how Democrats should move forward.

 

Based on a report by The Hill  2025-03-31

 

 

 

 on failed projects, and now, seeing his shady future, tries to change his colors, unfortunately This from a true idiot, hired lawyers to Anti-Trump California, has wasted millions-billions of dollars, unfortunately, the blind, status quo California sheep will believe him.

 

8 hours ago, Tug said:

Our residents you know what jumped on this like a steaming pile of you know what.in the real world the governor presides over the state that has the 5th largest economy on the planet is a hotbed of creativity.not for freeloading tho ya gotta work it’s expensive and a bit overtaxed imo.don’t underestimate this guy he’s wicked smart thinks on his feet and has the facts verbatim on hand under pressure.

 

Hahahhahahaaha and the scary part is you believe most of the garbage you spout. 

 

Bit overtaxed ? The delusion is so thick with you.

 

 

8 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Quite.  He strikes me as someone who was a super liberal lefty when he thought it was popular, but now that people are starting to change their minds he's suddenly starting to change too.  Trying to make out he was never into any of the things that people are laughing/angry at now.

maybe he has realized that you can get elected potus by lying about any and all ...and dumbing down to voters...sure seemed to work for current potus....

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

 

Hahahhahahaaha and the scary part is you believe most of the garbage you spout. 

 

Bit overtaxed ? The delusion is so thick with you.

 

 

I dono I just live here succeed here see for real every day here both the good and the bad and yup overtaxed and over regulated no doubt about it.I also witness the success the beauty and creativity first hand.best hope it continues cause the billionaires need more perks off our backs and the failed red states need our federal tax dollars.

2 hours ago, pomchop said:

maybe he has realized that you can get elected potus by lying about any and all ...and dumbing down to voters...sure seemed to work for current potus....

 

I think you mean it worked for Biden.  Trump got in on an anti-woke, anti-illegals, etc., ticket and he's delivering on his promises.

4 hours ago, Tug said:

I dono I just live here succeed here see for real every day here both the good and the bad and yup overtaxed and over regulated no doubt about it.I also witness the success the beauty and creativity first hand.best hope it continues cause the billionaires need more perks off our backs and the failed red states need our federal tax dollars.

 

Bit overtaxed ? 

 

The billionaires created a lot of jobs in California.

4 hours ago, Tug said:

I dono I just live here succeed here see for real every day here both the good and the bad and yup overtaxed and over regulated no doubt about it.I also witness the success the beauty and creativity first hand.best hope it continues cause the billionaires need more perks off our backs and the failed red states need our federal tax dollars.

What perks did a billionaire get from you? 

4 hours ago, Tug said:

I dono I just live here succeed here see for real every day here both the good and the bad and yup overtaxed and over regulated no doubt about it.I also witness the success the beauty and creativity first hand.best hope it continues cause the billionaires need more perks off our backs and the failed red states need our federal tax dollars.

I thought the left loved taxes and regulations. 

This is the dude that has basically allowed shop lifting in California. 

 

Also since when has the 'other side' been accepting of opposing views?