Gavin Newsom’s career is plummeting. Now he has the biggest podcaster in the world after him.
Because Joe Rogan went off on Gavin Newsom and it isn’t pretty.
Rogan Blasts Newsom for Dodging Fraud Allegations
Popular podcaster Joe Rogan sharply criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom after Newsom’s press office mocked independent YouTuber Nick Shirley instead of addressing his explosive claims of massive fraud in the state’s hospice and day care systems. Shirley, known for his earlier viral exposé on alleged child care fraud in Minnesota that prompted real investigations, recently released a 40-minute video alleging around $170 million in suspected waste and scams— including “ghost” day care centers and fraudulent hospice operations misusing Medicare numbers from healthy seniors.
Rather than launching probes or taking the allegations seriously, Newsom’s team responded by posting an AI-generated meme on X showing Shirley creepily peeking into a day care with cameras everywhere, captioned to portray him as intrusive: “Hey, can I see your kids?”
Rogan didn’t hold back on his latest podcast episode with comedian Mark Normand, calling out the governor’s deflection tactics head-on.
Rogan: ‘He’s Doing Your Job’ While Newsom Mocks
Rogan highlighted how Shirley’s citizen journalism was filling a void left by state officials, slamming Newsom for prioritizing ridicule over accountability. Key quotes from Rogan include:
“Hey, he’s doing your job! He’s uncovering fraud, and what you’re doing is mocking him!”
“They should just open up the investigations into all these places immediately if you cared.”
“Did you see what the governor posted? What Newsom’s press office posted? They posted a photo of Nick Shirley … like a meme [of] Nick Shirley peeking into windows.”
“But all they want to do is just obfuscate, cover it up.”
“Make it look silly. Make it look like … [he’s] a white supremacist, Nazi, whatever, MAGA.”
Rogan’s frustration underscores a broader pattern where serious issues of taxpayer-funded fraud get dismissed with snarky social media tactics instead of proper oversight—leaving everyday Californians to foot the bill for unchecked waste.
Newsom’s Evasive Approach Highlights Leadership Shortcomings
Newsom’s office has yet to offer substantive responses to the core fraud claims, opting instead for character attacks that Rogan described as attempts to “obfuscate” and discredit the messenger. This comes amid ongoing criticism of California’s governance under Newsom, where problems like homelessness, crime, and fiscal mismanagement have persisted despite promises of progressive solutions.
Shirley himself pushed back virally, telling Newsom’s team: “You do realize I’m trying to help America eliminate fraud and waste right? No need to try and make me look like the bad guy for exposing fraud. People are over it. Start working for the people and not against them.”
Rogan’s takedown amplifies growing calls for transparency and action in the Golden State, where a governor more focused on memes than investigations risks letting billions in potential fraud slip through—ultimately hurting the very residents he claims to protect. While Shirley’s work has already spurred change elsewhere, Newsom’s response suggests a preference for deflection over delivering results for Californians.
