In a notable cross-ideological exchange, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro appeared on California Governor Gavin Newsom‘s podcast, This is Gavin Newsom, in an episode released on January 15-16, 2026. Titled “And, This Is The Chaos Within The GOP Featuring Ben Shapiro,” the discussion covered a broad range of contentious topics, showcasing both sharp disagreements and moments of unexpected agreement.
Newsom, a prominent Democrat often mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential contender, hosted Shapiro—co-founder of The Daily Wire and a leading conservative voice—to explore divisions within the Republican Party, immigration policy, economic issues, and more. The episode began with personal touches, noting Shapiro’s California roots, before diving into heavier subjects like the influence of right-wing media figures (including Breitbart and Steve Bannon), podcasting’s role in politics, and critiques of former President Trump’s economic record and approach to elections.
BREAKING: Ben Shapiro grills California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) over whether he believes that girls cannot become boys and boys cannot become girls
Newsom refuses to answer the question
Newsom says: “Yeah, I just, well, uh, I think, uh, I’m for the grace of God. Yeah.” pic.twitter.com/w0Gc7cKvec
— Ryan Saavedra (@RyanSaavedra) January 16, 2026
Newsom AGREES that statements like that are making political discourse more toxic and that ICE are not terrorists pic.twitter.com/hE4lQe8nhd
— Ryan Saavedra (@RyanSaavedra) January 16, 2026
A key highlight was a tense exchange on immigration enforcement. Shapiro pressed Newsom about a recent post from the governor’s press office labeling an ICE-related incident as “state-sponsored terrorism.” Newsom appeared to walk back the rhetoric, agreeing it was “fair” to say ICE officers are not terrorists and acknowledging that such inflammatory language worsens political discourse.
The two also clashed on California’s high state income tax rates, with Shapiro advocating for reductions and Newsom deflecting by pointing to other states’ policies. Broader debates included Middle East politics (where Newsom affirmed Hamas as a terrorist group), housing solutions, transgender issues, and whether free elections face real threats.
Shapiro teased the interview on social media beforehand, hinting at “issues” in how Newsom runs the state, while post-release clips showed moments of deflection when pressed on policy failures. The conversation reflected Newsom’s ongoing strategy of engaging conservative guests—like prior appearances by Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon—to foster dialogue across divides, even amid potential backlash from his own party.
Overall, the episode underscored the potential for civil, if heated, debate between ideological opposites in an increasingly polarized era. It is available on platforms like YouTube and Spotify for full viewing.
SOURCES:
Gov. Gavin Newsom hosts Ben Shapiro on podcast | FOX 11 Los Angeles
California Gov. Gavin Newsom hosts Ben Shapiro on his podcast
California Gov. Gavin Newsom hosts Ben Shapiro on his podcast
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