And, This Is A Final Election Day Push With Aaron Parnas

Summary

Podcast Summary: "And, This Is A Final Election Day Push With Aaron Parnas"

Podcast: This is Gavin Newsom
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Air Date: November 4, 2025

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Episode Overview

This special election day episode features California Governor Gavin Newsom in conversation with the host (Aaron Parnas). The focus is a high-stakes California special election (Prop 50) and its national implications for Democratic strategy, Republican opposition, and the broader state of American democracy. Newsom provides a behind-the-scenes account of Democratic organizing efforts, comments on reported efforts by the Trump-aligned federal government to monitor California's election, and shares a forward-looking call to action.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Voter Turnout & Grassroots Momentum

• Election Context: California is experiencing unprecedented early and election-day turnout for Prop 50.
• Grassroots Mobilization: Newsom underscores the scale and passion behind the Democratic campaign, referencing the involvement of 250 organizations, cessation of fundraising after exceeding goals (over 1.2 million contributions), and the shifting ground game from traditional fundraising to grassroots mobilization.
• Economic Sensitivity: Acknowledges timing challenges—rising healthcare premiums, cuts to food stamps, and jobs market anxieties—making small-dollar contributions particularly meaningful.

"Election day has been going on for weeks... we blew past our small dollar amount. And I was very sensitive at a time when we're cutting food stamps and healthcare premiums are going up, people are feeling the anx around a jobs market... but we're dialing it up... our grassroots and our ground game..."
— Gavin Newsom ([03:07]–[05:17])

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2. Federal Election Monitors & Trumpian Tactics

• Federal Involvement: Press reports referenced Trump administration efforts to send federal monitors (deputy AG, DOJ) to California.
• Democratic Vigor: Newsom promises to "monitor the monitors"—meeting every Republican attempt with greater grassroots vigilance. Significant legal funds have been set aside to counter any federal election interference.
• Preemptive Undermining: Newsom connects current actions to Trump's broader tactics—publicly alleging a "rigged" election, preparing legal and political groundwork to challenge unfavorable results.
• Historical Parallels: Warns of a trend reminiscent of previous federal show-of-force deployments (D.C., Portland, Chicago) and possible future National Guard federalization.

"For every one person they put out there, we're going to have 10 people monitoring the monitors... He's mapping out a way of guaranteeing his victory in the midterms in 2026 and beyond... This is the Election Rigging Response act..."
— Gavin Newsom ([05:43]–[07:58])

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3. National Implications & Party Power Shift

• Democratic "Rebirth": Newsom sees the election as a turning point—evidence that the Democratic Party is regaining confidence and political muscle nationwide (not just in California).
• Universal Economic Messaging: He advocates for a Democratic strategy built around universal values—healthcare, food security, economic equity.
• Contrast with GOP: Newsom paints Trump as an isolated, weak figure, noting his absence from key state campaigns and rising disapproval ratings.
• Big Tent Vision: Newsom cautions against binary "either/or" thinking about the party's direction. He urges an inclusive approach encompassing multiple leaders and states—a multi-part vision for the future.

"We need to bring more people into this party, many parts, one body. And I think if we can stay there... we know that the obstacle is the way... We've got to address Trump and Trumpism... We have to democratize our economy to save our democracy."
— Gavin Newsom ([12:16]–[13:57])

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4. Building Momentum for 2026 and Beyond

• Eyes Wide Open: Newsom repeatedly stresses the importance of vigilance and citizenship to defend democracy through 2026 and into 2028.
• Active Citizenship: Quotes Justice Brandeis on the vital role of engaged citizens.
• Sustained Organizing: Emphasizes "sharing passion with action," organizing at the local level, and maintaining momentum for co-equal government and the rule of law.

"In a democracy, the most important office is office of citizen... He, this guy [Trump], thrives on one thing, exhaustion... And I think it's becoming overwhelmingly obvious to Donald Trump that he's losing and we're winning."
— Gavin Newsom ([14:10]–[15:51])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Grassroots Strength:
  "We don't screw around with these elections... If we see a good poll, we're like, 'No, what are we missing about this?'... We kick the tires."
  — Gavin Newsom ([03:56])

• On Republican Interference:
  "We've set aside millions of dollars for our legal defense. We're there today making sure we're monitoring the monitors."
  — Gavin Newsom ([07:28])

• On National Democratic Confidence:
  "The Democratic Party is back on its toes. We're not on our heels. We're winning again and we're finding our confidence. We're finding our sea legs."
  — Gavin Newsom ([08:19])

• Vision for the Party’s Future:
  "I hope we don't get in this all binary, this notion that it's either or... I think it's both. And, and I think that's the bigger picture, this opportunity that we're building a bigger tent as a party."
  — Gavin Newsom ([12:55])

• Call to Action:
  "Eyes on the balls, folks. On the ball. It's 2026. Please, I pray that we don't, we don't get ahead in that 2028 race. Please don't. It's all about 2026. It's all about restoring a co-equal branch of government... so we can maintain this framework of popular sovereignty."
  — Gavin Newsom ([15:36])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:07] — Newsom on massive Democratic turnout, fundraising, and the ground game.
• [05:43] — Addressing DOJ monitors and Trump interference.
• [08:19] — Democratic victories and their significance for 2026.
• [10:01] — Trump's weakness and loss of approval.
• [12:16] — Newsom on the Democratic Party, economic challenges, and inclusion.
• [14:10] — The call to action for activists and citizens, keeping up the fight for 2026 and beyond.

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Conclusion

Governor Gavin Newsom delivers an energized, combative, and optimistic message to listeners on California's special election day. He casts the stakes of Prop 50 and related national races as critical moments for democracy, calls out what he sees as anti-democratic tactics from the Trump-aligned opposition, and galvanizes the Democratic base for continued activism. Newsom champions broad-based organizing, urges vigilance, and advocates an expansive vision for the party—and the country—centered on citizenship, economic fairness, and the rule of law.

Transcript

[Gavin Newsom]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Graves County Podcast Narrator]

The murder of an 18 year old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years until a local housewife, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Gavin Newsom]

America, y' all better wake the hell up. Bad things happens to good people in small towns.

[Graves County Podcast Narrator]

Listen to Graves county on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast and to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Gisele Bryant or Robin Dixon]

You know the shade is always shadiest right here. Season six of the podcast Reasonably Shady with Gisele Bryan and Robin Dixon is here dropping every Monday as two of the founding members of the Real Housewives Potomac. We're giving you all the laughs, drama and reality news you can handle. And you know we don't hold back. So come be reasonable or shady with us each and every Monday. Listen to Reasonably Shady from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael Lewis]

Michael Lewis here. My bestselling book the Big Short tells the story of the buildup and burst of housing market back in 2008. A decade ago, the Big Short was made into an Academy Award winning movie and now I'm bringing it to you for the first time as an audiobook narrated by yours truly. The Big Short Story. What it means to bet against the market and who really pays for an unchecked financial system is as relevant today as it's ever been. Get the Big Short now at Pushkin FM Audiobooks or wherever audiobooks are sold.

[Molly Lambert]

Jenna World, Jenna Jameson, Vivid Video and the Valley is a new podcast about the history of the adult film industry. I'm Molly Lambert and I'll be your tour guide on a wild trip through adult films. We get paid more than the men. We call the shots. In what way is that degrading? That's us taking hold of our Life. Listen to Genaworld on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

I'm Jonathan Goldstein and on the new season of Heavyweight.

[Gavin Newsom]

And so I pointed the gun at him and said, this isn't a joke.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

A man who robbed a bank when he was 14 years old and a centenarian rediscovers a love lost 80 years ago.

[Podcast Host]

How can 101-year-old woman fall in love again?

[Jonathan Goldstein]

Listen to heavyweight on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Host]

I'm super excited today, folks, to be joined by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Governor, great to be here. Important day. Prop 50, election day. What are you seeing right now across your state?

[Gavin Newsom]

Just unbelievable energy and the turnout already has been extraordinary. What I mean by that is election day has been going on for weeks and weeks and it ends at 8:00 tonight. And we've just seen a remarkable number of ballots that have already been dropped off and drop boxes have been sent in mail in the registrar's office. So this is, this is going to be, we think it's going to be a big, big night. It's going to be a big statement about not only who we are in California, but a statement about who we are across the United States. Since this has really galvanized folks from all 50 states in a way that I never be candid with you, never fully could have imagined.

[Podcast Host]

Well, I mean, I guess I got to ask you, Prop 50, what's Democratic turnout like? I mean, are you seeing enough right now in early voting trends? Do you think we got this in the bag?

[Gavin Newsom]

Yeah, look, I mean, you don't want to ever say that. I don't want to fix that on election day. I'm not naive. But I also, you know, it's not just feelings, not just intellectual. I mean it's, we've, we've really stress tested this and we kick the tires. We don't screw around with these elections. And so we're looking at every angle where, you know, if we see a good poll, we're like, no, what are we missing about this? And you know, so we've, we've really, you know, we've digested not only that anxiety, we've also organized around it with 250 organizations that have been on the ground. One of the largest grassroots campaigns that I've ever been involved with and this is only 1112 weeks old. The fact that we had to literally ask people to stop sending us money because we had 1.2 million contributions, we blew past our small dollar amount. And I was very sensitive at a time when we're cutting food stamps and healthcare premiums are going up, people are feeling the anx around a jobs market that's not obviously as robust as it was six, eight months ago, that $10, $20 matters. But we're sort of, we're dialing it up. Even though we dialed back the fundraiser, we've dialed up our grassroots and our ground game and it just, it feels right and it feels good. But it is a special election and anything could happen. To your point, on a special election.

[Podcast Host]

Well, I gotta ask you. Before we talk about kind of what this means nationally and the kind of next steps for the party, I want to ask you about a report that I kind of put out over the past day or so, and that's the Trump administration was considering sending a deputy AG out to California to monitor elections. They were sending federal monitors. People messaged me, they said that they were worried, just generally hearing that the DOJ was sending folks out to California. Do you have any response? Are things going kind of smoothly right now?

[Gavin Newsom]

Yeah, look, we're flooding the zone. For every one person they put out there, we're going to have 10 people monitoring the monitors. We're not screwing around, nor is Donald Trump screwing around. And you may have seen what he just sent out this morning. Just a few hours ago, Donald Trump sent out a true social saying he's looking at criminal investigation because he already is alleging this election is rigged again. He knows he's going to lose. This is the Election Rigging Response act because he also knows he's going to lose the 2026 midterms. And this is why I keep saying, everybody, eyes wide open. This is not just about the maps here in California. He's mapping out a way of guaranteeing his victory in the midterms in 2026 and beyond. As you say, sending out election monitors that are not needed, that have no basis, has no business being out here in a statewide election for a statewide constitutional amendment. He has mass men like Greg Bovino that showed up at the campaign kickoff of propos to intimidate folks. That is a preview of things to come at polling places all across the United States. If you thought we were overstating things in June around the federalization of the National Guard, where we said in June, this is a preview of things to come across the United States. We've seen it in D.C. in Portland, in Chicago. And you're going to see it now as he starts to put Trump personnel in military braces all across the United States. And he's organized that very openly come this January to have quick deployment. This is all, all around 2026. Alleging that Prop 50 is already rigged because there's mail in ballots and alleging criminal, suggesting criminal activities occurring is chilling. But trust me to your question, forgive the long winded response. We're not screwing around. We've set aside millions of dollars for our legal defense. We're there today making sure we're monitoring the monitors. So there's nothing happening that is not going to be recorded. And I think that has to be our posture as Democrats with that kind of vigilance going through 2026.

[Podcast Host]

Well, I want to talk about 2026. What do you think tonight means for 2026, I guess nationally, because all trends show not just Democrats winning potentially in Prop 50 in California, but also Virginia, New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. I mean, really across the board. So what does a Democrat win tonight, across the board tell you heading into 2026?

[Gavin Newsom]

Well, the people showed up that the people watching, they had our backs and they gave us a spine. To the folks watching. You showed up not just for yourselves, but for each other. Seven million of you showed up talking about the fact there are no crowns, there's no thrones, there's no kings in this country. And you're going to show up in extraordinary numbers in New Jersey and Virginia that sent the Supreme Court race in Pennsylvania and obviously with this remarkable G gifted young man who will be the next mayor in New York City. And the energy and the clarity, the message that you will send is powerful. And that the Democratic Party, to your question, is back on its toes. We're not on our heels. We're winning again and we're finding our confidence. We're finding our sea legs. We're winning. The message nationwide on healthcare, it's universal because we're connecting to universal values. It's not a Republican or Democratic framework work. It's about all of us all being better off. We're all better off focusing on hunger, focusing on food. These are universal frameworks that I think just are going to create some remarkable momentum. This is a big, do not understate this. This is a big night for this country. It's a big night for democracy. It's a big night for the Democratic Party.

[Podcast Host]

Dee, do you feel like the tide is kind of shifting? I mean, I have messages every day of folks telling me I feel the energy shifting for the first time in nine months. I kind of feel hope. I feel positivity. I feel something different. His approval rating is at an all time low, disapproval at an all time high. I feel like things are changing a little bit.

[Gavin Newsom]

Look across the spectrum and you saw that numerically. To your point about the fact that he's historically unpopular, even more unpopular than he was after January 6th. Higher disapproval rate. He's hit every category and every issue. Name an issue on crime, the border, immigration. Name an issue he's under. I mean, it's extraordinary. So he is a weak president. He's failing. The fact is, I think coming crystal clear, I think he's absorbing that fact again. What was the Election Regulatory Response act all about. It was about the fact that he knows he's going to lose the midterm elections unless he rigs the election. That's why he needs not just Texas, but that's why he's going to need their help in the special session up there in Indiana and Missouri, what he was able to do in North Carolina and obviously what he's going to try to do in Florida. But again, that's weakness. And I'm not even sure he's masquerading his strength anymore. It's just weakness across the board. So. And you can see this, you can read between the lines the last few weeks, I just feel like there's. He's, he's one click behind. He's nowhere to be found. There's no clicks. No one wants to be associated with him in Virginia, in New Jersey, certainly in California. I mean, he's. This guy is out on an island. Honestly, I felt like he was away last week and he didn't. He didn't even really matter. I mean, there was no deal that it was. It didn't matter.

[Podcast Host]

So some.

[Gavin Newsom]

I sense I'm not. I don't want to overstate this. You saw him today trying to get in the game. Hey, what about me with Cuomo? What about me out here and, you know, know saying he's going to sort of investigate us for criminal activity in California? Something's happening. So I think those folks that are saying that to you are absolutely right and spot on. But we have a lot of work to do going into 2026 because of those dark clouds. And this guy will get more desperate. And again, the rules do not apply to him. It's the rule of Dawn. And we have to, I think, be mindful of that.

[Podcast Host]

Listen, I tend to agree with you. I mean, I think the fact that an incumbent president isn't campaigning in New Jersey isn't campaigning in Virginia, why isn't he holding a rally? You would think if he was popular, if the voter supported what he was doing, he'd be out on the ground for Sears or for Cittarelli in New Jersey, but that's not happening right now.

[Gavin Newsom]

It's a little no association. Look, this guy, and you're seeing it, you're seeing it in the inflation numbers and the job numbers. I mean, he said we were gonna be richer and healthier, we're poorer and sicker in this country. And it's dawning on everybody that this guy is wrecking this. He's a wrecking ball. I mean, it's not just the symbolism, the East Wing, it's the substance. And I think it's really starting to honestly, I really believe this. I, his supporters have to start feeling some real deep anxiety about this moment in this presidency. And so that's why we have to dial things up. This is the beginning of, I think, our rebirth and renewal as a party. And what I also love about this is I hope we don't get in this all binary, this notion that it's either or is Mandani the future of the party or is it these two remarkably gifted governors in these two more moderate states? I think it's both. And, and I think that's the bigger picture, this opportunity that we're building a bigger tent as a party. We need to bring more people into this party, many parts, one body. And I think if we can stay there as a party and be a little bit judgmental around which direction we need to go, we know that the obstacle is the way we've got to address Trump and Trumpism. But as we find our way back, we also know the message that matters and that's this economy is broken for too many people. The economy is not nourishing for enough people. We've got a generation 30 and younger that are not doing better than their parents generation. For the first time in US history, we've got 10% of people that own 2/3 of the wealth in this country. We have to democratize our economy to save our democracy.

[Podcast Host]

Now, Governor, before I let you go, you talk about we have a lot of work to do. Give people a call to action. What do people watching this need to know, heading after tonight into 2026, into 2028, just beyond give them a call to action.

[Gavin Newsom]

Well, I think they're doing it. You know, it's sharing our passion with action. It's showing up, it's actually being present, it's continuing to organize. It's about citizenship at the end of the day. Justice Brandeis said this, beautifully said. In a democracy, the most important office is office of citizen active, non inert citizenship. And so this notion of self organizing, community, people coming together across their differences, you're seeing it not just in terms of the large rallies, but you're seeing it in these organizations, organizational constructs, people going online, getting offline, standing in line for one another, lifting other people up and continuing to call folks like me to a higher level of responsibility and accountability, to be more clear and more focused on messaging, flooding the zone, winning arguments, setting the agenda and being more forceful, moving forward. So again, I just think continuing to do what we've done because people haven't given up. He, this guy thrives on one thing, exhaustion. He wants to exhaust us, stock it on, just become overwhelmed. And I think it's becoming overwhelmingly obvious to Donald Trump that he's losing and we're winning. And so we have to keep this momentum. Eyes on the balls, folks. On the ball. It's 2026. Please, I pray that we don't, we don't get ahead in that 2028 race. Please don't. It's all about 2026. It's all about restoring a co equal branch of government. It's all about the rule of law so that we can maintain this framework of popular sovereignty. So we'll have a free and fair election in 2028.

[Podcast Host]

California Governor Gavin Newsom. Great to be here. Good luck tonight. Thank you so much for joining me today. Really appreciate it.

[Gavin Newsom]

Thank you. Great to be with you.

[Podcast Host]

Talk to you soon.

[Gavin Newsom]

Thank you.

[Graves County Podcast Narrator]

The murder of an 18 year old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years until a local housewife, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Gavin Newsom]

America, y' all better wake the hell up. Bad things happens to good people in small towns.

[Graves County Podcast Narrator]

Listen to Graves county on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or radio wherever you get your podcasts and to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Molly Lambert]

Jenna World, Jenna Jameson, Vivid Video and the Valley is a new podcast about the history of the adult film industry. I'm Molly Lambert and I'll be your tour guide on a wild trip through adult films. We get paid more than the men. We call the shots. In what way is that degrading? That's us taking hold of our life. Listen to Gentle world on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Gisele Bryant or Robin Dixon]

You know the shade is always shadiest right here. Season six of the podcast Reasonably Shady with Gisele Bryant and Robin Dixon is here dropping every Monday as two of the founding members of the Real Housewives Potomac were giving you all the laughs, drama and reality news you can handle. And you know we don't hold back. So come be reasonable or shady with us each and every Monday. Listen to Reasonably Shady from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael Lewis]

Michael Lewis here. My bestselling book the Big Short tells the story of the buildup and birthday of the US housing market back in 2008. A decade ago, the Big Short was made into an Academy Award winning movie. And now I'm bringing it to you for the first time as an audiobook narrated by yours truly. The Big Short story, what it means to bet against the market and who really pays for an unchecked financial system is as relevant today as it's ever been. Get the Big Short now at Pushkin FM Audiobook or wherever audiobooks are sold.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

I'm Jonathan Goldstein, and on the new season of Heavyweight.

[Gavin Newsom]

And so I pointed the gun at him and said, this isn't a joke.

[Jonathan Goldstein]

A man who robbed a bank when he was 14 years old and a centenarian rediscovers a love lost 80 years ago.

[Podcast Host]

How can 101-year-old woman fall in love again?

[Jonathan Goldstein]

Listen to heavyweight on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Gavin Newsom]

This is an iHeart podcast.