Podcast Summary: "And, This Is Charlie Kirk" – This is Gavin Newsom

Introduction

In the March 6, 2025 episode of This is Gavin Newsom, hosted by iHeartPodcasts, Governor Gavin Newsom engages in a spirited and candid conversation with Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. This episode delves deep into the current political landscape, focusing on youth engagement, higher education, wokeism, housing affordability, transgender issues in sports, and the dynamics of cancel culture. Both hosts bring their unique perspectives to the table, fostering a dialogue that highlights the growing ideological divides and the strategies each side employs to influence public opinion.

1. Youth Vote and Turning Point USA's Influence

Governor Newsom opens the discussion by acknowledging Charlie Kirk's recent activities on college campuses, praising his efforts to engage young voters. Kirk shares the remarkable success of Turning Point USA in mobilizing the youth vote, attributing a significant shift away from the Democratic Party.

Charlie Kirk [00:26]: "I've been at this for 13 years, and it's been a wild movement, really accelerated. Once President Trump kind of came on the scene right around, I'd say, 20, 21. We had a goal. Could we move the youth vote 10 points over 10 years? And we did it in four years, not 10 large."

2. Education and Political Affiliation

The conversation transitions to the role of higher education in shaping political beliefs. Kirk criticizes the Democratic Party for its stronghold on college campuses, suggesting that higher education institutions have become ideological echo chambers that favor Democratic values.

Charlie Kirk [12:00]: "The Democrat party... largely the gatekeepers of that kind of ideological, intellectual regime."

Governor Newsom responds by sharing California's initiatives to provide diverse educational pathways beyond the traditional four-year degrees, emphasizing the state's commitment to career-oriented education.

Gavin Newsom [15:02]: "I'm completely aligned with you in terms of a focus and energy there and looking at pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships... supporting a life without a degree."

3. Wokeism and College Campuses

Kirk delves into the concept of "wokeism," arguing that it has infiltrated college campuses and corporate America, leading to a homogenized and authoritarian environment that stifles debate and fosters resentment among young men.

Charlie Kirk [12:30]: "We're the ones that challenge the COVID vaccine. We're the ones that don't necessarily believe the government when it says that we should keep on sending money to Ukraine."

He contends that this ideological dominance has alienated a significant portion of the population, leading to a backlash that Turning Point USA is capitalizing on to build its movement.

4. Housing Affordability in California

A substantial portion of the discussion focuses on California's housing crisis. Governor Newsom outlines the state's efforts to increase housing production, citing legislative reforms and confronting NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) as primary challenges.

Gavin Newsom [66:25]: "We've had one big thing we all are waiting for... the issue of interest rates. We are making big progress."

Kirk critiques the state's slow progress despite having significant political control, suggesting that bureaucratic hurdles and local resistance impede effective solutions.

5. Transgender Issues in Sports

The hosts address the contentious issue of transgender athletes in female sports. Both agree on the importance of fairness, but diverge on the approach to addressing the policies that allow transgender individuals to compete according to their gender identity.

Charlie Kirk [22:47]: "Youth should be off limits. I think that's a... that's a major political force."

Governor Newsom emphasizes the need for compassion while upholding fairness, highlighting legislative measures aimed at balancing these concerns.

6. Cancel Culture vs. Boycotting

A nuanced discussion unfolds around the concepts of cancel culture and boycotting. Kirk distinguishes between centralized cancel culture—where those in power silence dissent—and decentralized boycotting, where individuals collectively withdraw support from entities for specific reasons.

Charlie Kirk [54:13]: "Cancel culture is someone in power using their power to cancel. That is cancer culture."

Governor Newsom aligns partially with this view, criticizing both extremes and advocating for constructive dialogue over punitive measures.

7. Media Strategy and Podcasting

The conversation shifts to media strategies, with Kirk praising the effectiveness of long-form podcasting in reaching diverse audiences. He contrasts this with what he perceives as the Democratic Party's inability to engage in similar formats, attributing their lower favorability ratings to a lack of dynamic communication.

Charlie Kirk [48:21]: "If you want to earn the respect of forgotten America, you have to show them that you can intellectually joust with no script, no hard breaks, no producers in the ears, no teleprompters."

Governor Newsom acknowledges the challenge but highlights California's efforts to embrace diverse media to better connect with constituents.

8. Homelessness and Quality of Life

Back in the housing discussion, both hosts express concern over homelessness in California. Newsom details the state's initiatives to combat this issue, including constructing affordable housing and implementing regulatory reforms. Kirk underscores the moral and economic imperative to prioritize quality of life improvements.

Gavin Newsom [66:34]: "I have a yimby mindset on all this stuff. I'm on the front lines of this."

9. Presidential Interactions and Leadership

Towards the end of the episode, the dialogue touches on interactions with national leaders. Governor Newsom shares his experiences meeting with both President Biden and former President Trump, reflecting on the differing leadership styles and their impacts on political discourse.

Gavin Newsom [69:08]: "I just spent almost 90 minutes with him in the Oval Office a couple of weeks ago."

Charlie Kirk lauds Trump's dynamic approach while critiquing the perceived passivity and lack of engagement from Democratic leaders.

Charlie Kirk [71:07]: "He's a machine. He'll take every call. ... you got to give him credit."

Conclusion

The episode of This is Gavin Newsom featuring Charlie Kirk offers a comprehensive exploration of the current political and social challenges facing the United States. From the mobilization of the youth vote and the critique of higher education's political leanings to the pressing issues of housing affordability and transgender policies in sports, both hosts provide incisive commentary on the state of American politics. The dialogue underscores the deepening ideological divides and the strategic maneuvers each side employs to influence public opinion and policy. Through their engaging exchange, Newsom and Kirk illuminate the complexities of navigating a polarized landscape, emphasizing the need for honest conversations and multifaceted approaches to address the nation's most pressing issues.

Notable Quotes

• Charlie Kirk [00:26]: "We did it in four years, not 10 large."
• Charlie Kirk [12:00]: "Democrat party ... gatekeepers of that kind of ideological, intellectual regime."
• Gavin Newsom [15:02]: "Looking at pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships... supporting a life without a degree."
• Charlie Kirk [22:47]: "Youth should be off limits. I think that's a major political force."
• Charlie Kirk [54:13]: "Cancel culture is someone in power using their power to cancel. That is cancer culture."
• Charlie Kirk [48:21]: "Intellectually joust with no script, no hard breaks, no producers in the ears, no teleprompters."
• Gavin Newsom [66:25]: "Issue of interest rates. We are making big progress."
• Charlie Kirk [71:07]: "He's a machine. He'll take every call. ... you got to give him credit."