Joe Rogan Suggests Trump Run for California Governor in Satire

Podcaster Joe Rogan has proposed a provocative idea for former President Donald Trump: run for governor of California after leaving the White House. During a recent episode of his Spotify show, The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan suggested that Trump could “fix” California while simultaneously trolling liberal voters.

In a conversation featuring British comedian Francis Foster and political commentator Konstantin Kasin, Rogan discussed the exodus of friends from Los Angeles, attributing their departure to dissatisfaction with the state’s left-leaning political climate. He remarked, “It’s like everybody went crazy,” reflecting on the societal shifts following the pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests, and civil unrest.

Rogan elaborated on his satirical proposition, stating, “What Donald Trump should do is, when he leaves office, is run for governor of California and just take over California and fix it.” He continued, “It would be hilarious if he did. It would be one of the funniest things of all time if an 82-year-old man steps into the office of governor of California.”

Despite his jest, Rogan has recently distanced himself from Trump’s political stance. The podcaster criticized the former president’s remarks regarding his opponents, specifically rejecting Trump’s comment about not wanting the best for them. “I don’t agree with any of that. He’s a nut,” Rogan stated on his show last week.

Current California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is term-limited, is set to leave office after the gubernatorial election in November 2026. Newsom has expressed presidential ambitions and has engaged in social media exchanges that mock Trump. Recently, he directed his focus toward Rogan, labeling the podcaster as “snack-sized” and accusing him of avoiding a direct conversation.

Newsom’s criticism escalated as he addressed Rogan’s disparaging remarks about his political career, saying, “You can’t ruin a city and then go on to ruin a state and say, ‘Guys, that was just practice.’” This response came in light of Rogan’s skepticism regarding Newsom’s aspirations for the presidency.

In a separate appearance on the Higher Learning podcast, Newsom emphasized his desire to engage with Rogan directly. “He’s been attacking me for years and years and years and won’t have me on the show. Joe, why won’t you have me on the show?” Newsom asked, underscoring the one-sided nature of their exchanges.

Interestingly, Newsom has previously acknowledged Rogan’s influence, stating in July, “By the way, I’m a Joe Rogan fan. He ain’t a fan of mine, but I’m a Joe Rogan fan. No bulls***.” Newsom’s complex relationship with Rogan highlights the evolving dynamics of political discourse in California and beyond.

As the political landscape continues to shift, Rogan’s comedic suggestion about Trump’s potential gubernatorial run adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue about leadership and governance in the United States.