Gavin Newsom’s ‘Moderate Makeover’ Goes Up in Flames as Bill Maher Calls Him Out [WATCH]

California Governor Gavin Newsom appeared on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday, promoting his new podcast and discussing his views on political discourse.

Despite the state of California grappling with massive debt and ongoing mismanagement, Newsom appeared focused on his presidential ambitions, taking time to speak with Maher rather than address the state’s pressing issues.

During the interview, Newsom discussed his reasons for starting the podcast, which he claimed was a response to the growing toxicity within the Democratic Party and the need for cross-party dialogue.

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Newsom acknowledged the challenges facing Democrats, stating, “The Democratic brand is toxic right now. We had a high-water mark two weeks ago, and that was a CNN poll at 29 percent favorability. It’s dropped in an NBC poll to 27 percent. It’s one thing to make noise, but you also have to make sense.”

He continued, “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. And Democrats need to own up to that. They gotta mature about this.”

However, Newsom’s comments about cancel culture are at odds with his past actions, particularly his signing of AB298 into law in 2022.

This legislation allowed the California Medical Board to revoke the license of a doctor if their medical advice contradicted the “contemporary scientific consensus,” particularly regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

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The law was criticized as an infringement on free speech and medical freedom, even drawing condemnation from figures like Dr. Jay Bhattacharya of the National Institutes of Health.

The law was later rescinded after multiple lawsuits, including one from the ACLU.

In the interview, Maher shifted the conversation to a controversial transgender law in California.

He asked Newsom about a rule requiring schools to keep gender identity changes secret from parents, a policy that has sparked significant debate. Newsom, however, denied the accusation and attempted to downplay the significance of the policy.

“The law was, you would be fired, a teacher would be fired if a teacher did not report or snitch on a kid talking about their gender identity,” Newsom claimed, later adding, “I just think that was wrong, I think teachers should teach, I don’t think they should be required to turn in kids.”

Maher, trying to clarify, asked, “But we’re talking about their parents! How can you snitch? The idea of a snitch and a parent doesn’t comport.”

Newsom responded, “But what is the job of the teacher? It’s to teach… If Johnny is talking about some identity issue or some issue about liking someone of the same sex is it the teacher’s job to somehow report that?”

Gavin Newsom’s 180 degree turn on trans competing in sports is truly ‘hard to believe’:
Maher: “This all sounds good, but Governor, you were the poster boy for all of this stuff.
California schools cannot be required to notify parents if their kids in school have changed their… pic.twitter.com/wZGrwPD6z8

— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) March 29, 2025

Despite Newsom’s attempt to misrepresent the law, the facts remain clear: California’s policy prohibits teachers from notifying parents if their child begins to transition, including changes in clothing, pronouns, or bathroom use.

This policy was enshrined into law under Newsom’s leadership, and he has been criticized by Republican lawmakers for blocking parental notification policies in schools.

Assemblyman James Gallagher and Representative Kevin Kiley, who previously sued Newsom for overstepping during the COVID lockdowns, have called out the governor for what they describe as blatant dishonesty regarding parental rights in education.

Gallagher provided a rebuttal, stating: “There IS a CA policy that prohibits school officials from telling parents if their child is beginning to transition at school. Gavin Newsom enshrined that policy into law!! He prohibited schools from having any parental notification policy.”

The Governor continues to tell bald-faced lies about parental notification. Here are the facts.

There IS a CA policy that prohibits school officials from telling parents if their child is beginning to transition (wear different clothes, ask to go by different pronouns, or use… https://t.co/1mrDsrH4sb

— James Gallagher (@J_GallagherAD3) March 29, 2025

As Newsom continues to promote his podcast and claim a more moderate stance, a new Recall Gavin Newsom campaign has been approved by the California Secretary of State.

Despite his efforts to rebrand himself, Newsom’s approval rating remains low, and his tenure as governor has been marked by escalating debt, high taxes, and a lack of effective governance.

Newsom’s political maneuvering, including his focus on podcasting and media appearances, stands in stark contrast to the economic struggles and governance issues plaguing California.

With less than two years remaining in his final term, Newsom appears to be trying to position himself for a potential presidential run.

His focus on national issues, however, has led many Californians to question his commitment to solving the state’s ongoing problems.

The failed 2021 recall effort and ongoing criticism from conservative leaders highlight the dissatisfaction with Newsom’s leadership.

As the governor continues his media blitz, the record of his time in office will be a key issue for those questioning his future in politics, especially when it comes to the handling of education, public health, and the economic stability of California.

The anger and frustration of parents, business owners, and residents who have struggled under Newsom’s policies continue to simmer, with many eager to hold him accountable in the coming years.

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