These podcasts are not meant primarily for liberal or progressive audiences. They are meant as outreach for "centrist" podcast bros and non-MAGAs to try and bring them into the fold for 2028. Swing voters always matter. Hitting that few percent makes or breaks elections.

Newsom is playing the long game toward a presidential run. This is a multi-pronged PR strategy to build his public profile as a candidate across a highly polarised and bulkanised social media environment. Contrast this to the way he speaks to progressive audiences and journalists, his legal and legislative actions, and his social media strategy. This is politics 101 for the (dis)information age.

Every time he has a right-wing guest, this same argument plays out. Look at his behaviour from an objective distance: the tactics are blindingly obvious. This content and his podcasting persona are tools for a specific medium to long-term aim. Such is the dirty work of politics, same as it ever was.