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California Governor Gavin Newsom found himself on the defensive during a recent episode of “The Shawn Ryan Show,” where he was grilled about his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation took a sharp turn when podcast host Shawn Ryan relayed a pointed question from Joe Rogan, the outspoken podcaster known for his criticism of pandemic policies.
Upon hearing that the question came from Rogan, Newsom exclaimed, “Motherf**ker,” but quickly added that he was actually a fan of the popular podcaster. The tough question focused on the controversial mandates for COVID-19 vaccines for children, as well as alleged health consequences tied to those mandates.
“Who will be held accountable for mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children, which were unnecessary and ineffective, and who will take responsibility for the unprecedented increases in myocarditis and cancer cases among them?” Ryan asked. He followed up by suggesting that pharmaceutical companies influenced the decisions for “maximum profit,” questioning whether Newsom felt any remorse for what was described as a “draconian” policy.
Newsom swiftly rejected the implication of Big Pharma’s influence, pointing out that he had passed some of the most progressive laws against pharmaceutical companies in the nation. He emphasized that his administration relied on independent medical advisors when making decisions, stating, “I took their advice, not as a doctor, but as a governor.”
Defending California’s broader pandemic response, Newsom highlighted coordination with the Trump administration early in the crisis, noting, “Florida shut down their bars and restaurants before California.” He described California’s approach as “more restrictive” and “aggressive at scale” but admitted that the state is now conducting an “objective review” of its COVID-19 policies to understand what worked and what didn’t.
Acknowledging the challenges of navigating an unprecedented public health crisis, Newsom remarked, “I know everyone’s a Goddamn genius now in hindsight… But at the time, none of us knew what we were up against, including the President of the United States, who I worked very closely with.”
Newsom also touched on political criticisms, mentioning “California Derangement Syndrome,” a term he used to describe some of the backlash against the state’s policies. He contrasted it with “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” suggesting that critiques of California’s pandemic leadership were sometimes exaggerated or unfair.
Widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential candidate for 2028, Newsom’s candid defense of his COVID-19 record appears to be part of a broader effort to solidify his standing with voters ahead of a possible national campaign.
The interview offered a revealing glimpse into the continuing debate over pandemic policies, vaccine mandates, and political accountability—issues that remain deeply divisive in American politics.
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