Podcast Summary
Podcast: The Isabel Brown Show
Host: Isabel Brown (The Daily Wire)
Episode: This Gavin Newsom Video is 10x Worse Than I Thought
Date: February 24, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Isabel Brown addresses a recent viral moment involving California Governor Gavin Newsom speaking to a predominantly Black audience in Georgia. Isabel critiques Newsom's attempt at relatability—which, in her view, came across as condescending, racially charged, and emblematic of broader trends among progressive politicians. She compares Newsom's comments to those of other Democratic leaders (notably Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Kathy Hochul), analyzing the perceived disconnect between their attempts to connect with minority voters and the actual impact of their rhetoric.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Gavin Newsom's Controversial Georgia Speech
-
Isabel’s Initial Reactions
- Isabel begins by expressing shock and skepticism at the alleged content of Gavin Newsom’s remarks, summarized as him "telling people that black people are stupid just for being black."
- She explains she missed the video due to being at her sister’s wedding, only to be appalled upon viewing it later.
- [00:24]
-
Newsom’s Quotes and Isabel’s Commentary
- Newsom, in an effort to connect with the crowd, allegedly says he’s "like you," referencing a low SAT score and claiming, "I cannot read a speech," highlighting his struggles with dyslexia.
- Quote:
"I'm not, you know, I'm not trying to impress you. I'm just trying to impress upon you. I'm like you. I'm no better than you. You know, I'm a 960sat guy." —Gavin Newsom [01:33]
"I cannot. You. You've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be." —Gavin Newsom [01:48] - Isabel interprets this as overt condescension to Black voters, suggesting he’s equating their experience with academic struggle and illiteracy.
- [02:10] Isabel: "How could it be worse than I thought it was going to be?... I'm like you, you idiot who did terrible on the SATs because you're black and live in Georgia."
-
Backlash & Doubling Down
- Newsom receives backlash and, according to Isabel, "doubles down" on X (Twitter), countering critics like Sean Hannity by claiming he’s only referencing his "lifelong struggle with dyslexia."
- Quote:
"Spare me your fake f-ing outrage, Sean." —Quoting Newsom’s X post [03:42]
- Isabel lampoons the overuse of profanity among progressive politicians as a failed attempt at youthful "relatability."
- [04:18] Mocking: "'Let's F this in America and just live the dream.' I guess they think they sound so cool, but it is so, so giving... I’m trying too hard to win your approval."
Broader Patterns Among Progressive Politicians
-
Performative Language and Cringe Factor
- Isabel draws a link to similar episodes, such as Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey telling ICE agents to "get the F out of Minneapolis."
- She ridicules this as "cringe," suggesting these politicians are trying too hard to appear masculine or relatable.
- [05:04]
-
Media & Meme Reactions
- Newsom went viral not just on right-wing platforms: Nicki Minaj herself criticized his pitch on social media.
- Quote:
"His Gavin Newsom's way of bonding with black people is to tell them how stupid he is and that he can't read... he's literally slowing his speech down and talking in a sporadic cadence...[he] really believes that they're slow." —Summarizing Nicki Minaj’s post [07:40]
-
Comparison to Kamala Harris' Shifting Persona
- Isabel plays audio and references Kamala Harris’s habit of code-switching accents and personas to fit her audience, comparing it to Newsom’s failed "relatability."
- [08:13]–[09:14] Audio montage of Harris’s variable speaking styles.
Past Incidents & the "White Savior" Narrative
-
Joe Biden "You Ain’t Black" Reference
- Isabel reminds listeners of Joe Biden’s infamous exchange with Charlemagne tha God in 2020.
- Quote:
"If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain’t black." —Joe Biden (re-aired clip) [09:59]
- She notes that, despite memes, this comment was "actually racist" and shows a pattern among Democratic leaders.
-
NY Governor Kathy Hochul on Black Children and Technology
- Audio is played of Hochul claiming Black children in the Bronx "don't even know what the word computer is."
- Quote:
"Young black kids growing up in the Bronx who don't even know what the word computer is..." —Kathy Hochul [10:52]
-
Isabel’s Analysis: The Disconnect
- Isabel argues that these repeated gaffes reveal entrenched paternalism and low expectations from progressive elites, who often come from highly privileged backgrounds.
- She sees the rhetorical appeals to equity and relatability as insincere and fundamentally patronizing.
- [11:12] "It’s disgusting. And yet this is the modern left. This is the modern Democrat party."
Closing Remarks & Reflections
- Gavin Newsom's Privilege & Hypocrisy
- Isabel points out Newsom’s background—wealth, education, "voted most stylish"—and mocks the idea that he’s a relatable man of the people.
- [12:20] "Gavin Newsom, whose net worth is estimated to be about 40 plus million dollars, is just like you. Vote for me, kids."
- Youths, Relatability, and the Politics of 2026
- She ends with exasperation at the state of political engagement with young people, rejecting "cringe" performative appeals and quoting Harris ironically:
"Have you no empathy, man?" [13:39]
- She ends with exasperation at the state of political engagement with young people, rejecting "cringe" performative appeals and quoting Harris ironically:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Gavin Newsom’s Speech to Black Georgians:
"I'm not, you know, I'm not trying to impress you. I'm just trying to impress upon you. I'm like you. I'm no better than you. You know, I'm a 960sat guy." —Gavin Newsom [01:33]
-
Isabel’s Reaction:
"I'm like you, you idiot who did terrible on the SATs because you're black and live in Georgia." —Isabel Brown [02:10]
-
Newsom Doubling Down:
"Spare me your fake f-ing outrage, Sean." —Gavin Newsom [03:42]
-
Nicki Minaj’s Viral Critique (Paraphrased by Isabel):
"His Gavin Newsom's way of bonding with black people is to tell them how stupid he is and that he can't read. Literally... He's in caps, literally slowing down his speech to make them understand... as if they're children." —Nicki Minaj (quoted by Isabel) [07:40]
-
Kamala Harris Play-acting and Code-switching:
"Have you no empathy, man?" —Kamala Harris montage [09:10, 13:39]
-
Joe Biden’s 2020 Comment:
"If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain’t black." —Joe Biden [09:59]
-
Kathy Hochul’s Bronx Computer Comment:
"Young black kids growing up in the Bronx who don't even know what the word computer is." —Kathy Hochul [10:52]
-
Isabel on Political Relatability:
"Gag me with a spoon. What if this is what the politics appealing to young people is supposed to look like in 2026? I don't want any of that." —Isabel Brown [12:40]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:24 — Isabel introduces the Gavin Newsom Georgia speech controversy
- 01:33 — Newsom's speech: "I'm like you. I'm no better than you..."
- 02:10–02:46 — Isabel’s reaction to Newsom’s self-deprecation and perceived condescension
- 03:42 — Newsom’s social media response; criticism of "fake outrage"
- 04:18 — Critique of progressive politicians using profanity
- 05:04 — Comparison to Minneapolis Mayor Frey and performative edginess
- 07:40 — Nicki Minaj’s viral ridicule; Newsom “slowing speech down”
- 08:13–09:14 — Kamala Harris code-switching/rhetorical montage
- 09:59 — Audio of Biden’s "you ain’t black" comment
- 10:52 — Audio of Kathy Hochul’s "black kids don’t know what computer means"
- 11:12–12:40 — Isabel’s summary of systemic issues and the repeated pattern
- 13:39 — Episode wrap: "Have you no empathy, man?"
Tone and Language
The episode maintains a highly sarcastic, irreverent, and confrontational tone as Isabel Brown critiques what she perceives as paternalistic and racially insensitive rhetoric from prominent Democratic leaders. She uses vivid language, pop culture references, and direct quotes to build her argument, often appealing to her conservative audience's sense of frustration with the modern left.
Conclusion:
Isabel Brown uses the Gavin Newsom speech controversy as a jumping-off point to dissect a pattern of what she calls "performative progressivism" among Democratic leaders. Through both humorous and scathing critique, she questions the sincerity and effectiveness of such messaging, arguing that it alienates rather than resonates with minority communities and younger voters.
