When Governor Gavin Newsom decided to jump into the podcasting game last month, he boasted that it was all about understanding the MAGA movement and charting a new course for Democrats after the party’s epic faceplant in the 2024 elections. Sounds bold, right? But what followed is a bewildering rhetoric rollercoaster that has left listeners and political insiders wondering if they missed a chapter in Newsom’s political self-help book.

The podcast exposes the governor’s pivot from being a fierce critic of Donald Trump to cozying up with MAGA-friendly guests. Just as California is knee-deep in fighting Trump’s policies and facing serious federal funding cuts, Newsom’s shift to the center is raising eyebrows, even from his own camp.

Republicans are scoffing at this apparent identity crisis, while many Democrats, who had cheered on Newsom, are now scratching their heads. “Is this a strategic move? Are we redefining ourselves for the next election? What is happening here?” asks state Sen. Ben Allen, almost as if he’s deciphering a cryptic crossword puzzle.

Notably, Newsom hasn’t held public events since launching his podcast. Instead, he’s been using these episodes to broadcast his thoughts, which include mixed signals about tariffs and answering questions about bans on transgender athletes with a perplexing “I haven’t seen any bills”. We’ve never seen such political Houdini tricks in the Capitol!

And it gets juicier. His podcast guests, like Trump apologist Charlie Kirk, have stirred up a pot of controversy. After certain episodes aired, studies found that while some perceived him as more moderate, double the listeners felt betrayed, calling his transformation the platonic ideal of a politician’s opportunism. In a poll update post-podcast launch, Newsom’s approval dropped from 52% to 47%, which doesn’t bode well for a guy aiming at a national stage.

Even fans are baffled. “Why is this guy flirting with the fringes of his party?” questioned Ludovic Blain, from California Donor Table. While wild speculation fills the air, one thing is clear: Newsom’s new podcast isn’t just about conversations; it’s turning into a game of political chicken.

Will he solidify his identity, or continue playing hopscotch across party lines? Only time, and perhaps a few more podcast episodes, will tell.