Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Politics: Leading

Episode 178: Gavin Newsom – The Next President Of The United States?
Date: March 2, 2026
Hosts: Alastair Campbell & Rory Stewart
Guest: Gavin Newsom

Overview

In this in-depth interview, California Governor Gavin Newsom joins Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart to discuss his unconventional path to political prominence, his view on leadership and masculinity, the challenge posed by Donald Trump, the evolving nature of American politics, and whether he’ll run for president in 2028. Newsom candidly shares stories from his troubled childhood, reflects on his policy philosophy, and offers behind-the-scenes insights into dealing with Trump and the current state of the Democratic Party.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Gavin Newsom’s Childhood and Formative Experiences

[03:35-08:50]

• Newsom describes a difficult upbringing—severe dyslexia, parental divorce, and financial struggles.
• Quotes:
  • "At 11 years old, I was in the back of the classroom. I had a bowl cut, my hands were sweaty. I was scared to death of walking into the classroom… couldn't read, couldn't write. And nothing terrified me more than being asked to read out loud in a classroom." – Newsom [03:44]
  • "Dyslexia turned out to be an unbelievable gift, but it's also a great burden as a consequence. You'll never see me reading a speech…" – Newsom [04:27]
• His father’s ties to the Getty family opened social doors, but he felt he belonged to two worlds (privileged and not), describing his memoir, Discovery and Young Man in a Hurry.

Masculinity, Vulnerability, and Political Persona

[06:34-08:50]

• Newsom and the hosts dissect the contrast between his public image and his real childhood insecurities.
• Quotes:
  • "I put a mask on, and there were times when my face grew into it. I was becoming someone I was not. And that mask started to fray." – Newsom [07:08]
  • On learning disabilities: "You're performing all the time. You're overcompensating for your own anxieties, insecurities... you have to come up with more of a creative mindset." – Newsom [07:48]
• He discusses authenticity, confidence, and the process of self-discovery.

Redefining Political Memoirs

[08:50-10:50]

• Newsom aimed for honesty in his memoir, paralleling Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father.
• He speaks openly about family trauma, addiction, and witnessing his mother's assisted suicide.
• Quotes:
  • "I try to put that out there and express it in as authentic way I possibly could. In the spirit to your question of what Obama did, which was so different, so distinctive, so unique..." – Newsom [09:37]

New Culture of Political Transparency

[10:50-12:57]

• The podcast format allows for greater candor—contrasting old politics (cautious, sanitized) with the current era (embracing flaws, open dialogue).
• Newsom recounts going on a conservative podcast and being offered a gun, embracing humor and authenticity in the process.
  • "I think that's what people are looking for. They're looking for authenticity. We're exhausted by the status quo." – Newsom [12:17]

California’s Political Reputation

[12:57-15:36]

• The challenges and advantages of being seen as a “California politician.”
• California leads in progressive policy and innovation but is a target for right-wing media.
  • "Our success runs counter to their entire argument of the case." – Newsom [14:51]

Trump, Murdoch, and Media Weaponization

[14:51-15:36]

• Newsom draws a direct line between Rupert Murdoch’s media empire and the rise of Trump.
  • "There is no Trump without Murdoch." – Newsom [14:55]

Interpreting ‘Western Civilization’ Rhetoric

[15:36-18:10]

• The hosts and Newsom examine coded language used by Trump allies and its implications.
  • "These are the dog whistles in the vernacular of the 80s with Reagan, Nixon and others." – Newsom [16:22]
  • "I believe we have an imperial presidency that is inspired by might makes right and the law of the jungle." – Newsom [16:53]

Trump’s Foreign and Domestic Approach

[18:10-19:48]

• Explains Trump’s inconsistent, reactive style: "I don’t think. I think he’s working it out in real time… It’s mercurial… It’s news cycle, it’s 24/7, it’s shock and awe." – Newsom [18:10]

Personal Encounters with Trump & Social Media Strategy

[19:48-25:20]

• Newsom describes Trump as "a malignant narcissist…remarkably engaging one on one…easily manipulated."
• Memorable moment: Trump’s late-night call and the ‘New Scum’ nickname.
  • "He goes, ‘what do you think of New Scum? … pretty original, right?’ … In eighth grade they were calling me New Scum." – Newsom [22:14]
  • Trump’s focus in calls was always on image, not substance—"Wanted to get back into the debate performance with Kamala…"
• The call inspired Newsom’s aggressive, satirical social media pivot.
  • "It was at that moment that my mind radically shifted..." – Newsom [24:15]

Understanding Trump and His Enablers

[27:02-29:07]

• Newsom analyzes Trump’s psychology: "He’s a broken man in so many respects… a very dangerous person… He simply wants you to understand how wonderful he is..." – Newsom [27:02]
• Believes Trump's "enablers" (Rubio, Vance, Miller) are more blameworthy.
  • "Oh, the enablers. I do. They know better. They should know better." – Newsom [28:49]
• Stephen Miller described as "the dark heart of the administration" [28:57].

Republican Calculations and Trump’s Future

[30:25-33:28]

• Newsom: "Donald Trump is a lame duck president. He hates those words."
  • Predicts a Democratic resurgence in the midterms [31:15].
  • Calls Trump "the most corrupt president in American history. The self-dealing, the graft is next level…” [30:33]

Democratic Party Analysis and Leadership Lessons

[33:28-36:47]

• Dissects reasons for Kamala Harris’s loss: mixture of factors—incumbency, inflation, Israel, ‘wokeism,’ lack of resistance, and party weakness [33:34-35:21].
• Democratic Party must embrace "strength and responsibility" as part of its renewal narrative.
  • "Given the choice, the American people will always support strong and wrong versus weak and right." – Newsom [35:21]

Ideological Positioning & Responding to Populism

[36:47-37:47]

• Newsom places himself in the Clintonian lineage—focus on "community, opportunity, responsibility."
  • "I'm a guy doesn't begrudge other people's success..." – Newsom [37:00]
• Recognizes the growing force of populism, class politics, and need for systemic change [37:58].

The Crisis Facing Young Men

[39:12-40:32]

• Outlines policy work with Richard Reeves, Scott Galloway on masculinity, mentoring, compulsory public service.
  • "We have a crisis of masculinity more broadly defined, not just the toxicity of a Donald Trump, but more broadly what's happening to boys and men…" – Newsom [37:58]
  • Major initiatives: recruiting male kindergarten teachers, large-scale volunteering, public service [39:18-40:32].

Will He Run for President?

[40:32-43:04]

• Newsom noncommittal, puts family first, not driven by lifelong ambition for the presidency.
  • "To be determined. The four people that will decide, five of my four kids and my wife..." – Newsom [40:34]
  • "I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it… I think the moment in many ways chooses you as well." – Newsom [41:44]

Navigating Tech, Wealth, and Regulation in California

[43:04-46:23]

• Newsom on AI regulation and his relationships with tech billionaires.
  • "We're doing it and we're doing it better than anyone else... We did 18 AI bills on watermarking, on robocalls, child safety..." – Newsom [44:01]
  • Notes the cultural/political shift among Silicon Valley elite: some have swung toward Trump, but others will shift with the political winds.

Memorable Personal Anecdote

[46:32-47:06]

• Newsom recounts Paul McCartney serenading his daughter, Montana.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Authenticity vs. ‘Messaging’:
  "Now, I mean, I just, I spent four hours and 20 minutes on a podcast… The point being, I think that's what people are looking for. They're looking for authenticity. We're exhausted by the status quo." – Gavin Newsom [12:17]

• On Trump’s Motivations:
  "He is trying to wreck this country. … He just simply wants you to understand how wonderful he is…" – Gavin Newsom [27:02]

• On Political Change:
  "Our politics is radically changing and reorganizing. Part of that is we need to change and reorganize our thinking, our relationship with the public." – Gavin Newsom [13:21]

• On Trump's Media Ecosystem:
  "There is no Trump without Murdoch. I absolutely believe that. … It's Pravda, Fox News primetime lineup." – Gavin Newsom [14:55]

• On Policy Philosophy:
  "Community, opportunity, responsibility. And I think on the responsibility question, we've fallen short." – Gavin Newsom [37:00]

• On Class and Populism:
  "We're going to have the first trillionaire class. We don't need more trillionaires. Happy to have more millionaires, but we don't need any more trillionaires or any trillionaires, frankly." – Gavin Newsom [37:58]

The Hosts’ Takeaways (Post-Interview)

[47:16-53:05]

• Both hosts express surprise at Newsom’s candor and depth.
• Campbell: "He comes across as the high school hero… but this reveals the insecurities and awkwardness of his childhood. The mask he put on."
• Stewart: Praises Newsom’s "frankness," "cleverness," and non-conventional approach—draws comparisons to Bill Clinton.
• Both note the contrast in political culture between the UK (cautious, scandal-averse) and new American politics (embracing openness and even personal scandal).

Key Timestamps

• 03:44 – Newsom describes his childhood struggles with dyslexia.
• 07:08 – On masculinity, masks, and personal development.
• 09:13 – Memoir revelations and family trauma.
• 12:17 – Newsom advocates for “authenticity” in politics.
• 14:55 – On the symbiosis between Trump and Rupert Murdoch's media.
• 19:48 – Social media strategy origins and Trump’s late-night call.
• 27:02 – Newsom’s psychological profile of Trump.
• 28:49 – Disdain for Trump’s enablers.
• 31:15 – Predicting a Republican defeat in the midterms.
• 40:34 – Family is the main factor in deciding whether to run for president.
• 44:01 – Leading on AI and tech regulation.
• 46:35 – Paul McCartney moment.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a rare, unvarnished insight into Gavin Newsom’s motivations, vulnerabilities, and strategic thinking. Newsom positions himself as a leader for a new era: candid, keenly aware of the power of narrative, and conscious of the burdens facing American politics. He places family over ambition and believes in strength rooted in authenticity rather than spin. The portrait painted is one of a politician prepared for the brutal realities of the Trump era, who has struggled personally but emerged resilient and focused on renewal—of both party and country.