California Governor Gavin Newsom Defends COVID Vaccine Mandates on Joe Rogan Podcast

California Governor Gavin Newsom faced pointed questions from podcaster Joe Rogan regarding his COVID-19 pandemic policies during an interview on The Shawn Ryan Show. Rogan criticized Newsom for implementing what he called "draconian" vaccine mandates for children and suggested these decisions were influenced by pharmaceutical companies seeking profit, also raising concerns about increases in myocarditis and cancer cases. Newsom responded by firmly denying any undue influence from Big Pharma, citing his record of signing progressive laws against pharmaceutical companies and emphasizing that California worked closely with the Trump administration and other states, including Florida, in responding aggressively to the pandemic. He acknowledged the complexity of the pandemic response and mentioned that his team was conducting an objective review of the policies, including input from critics and international experts. Despite the tension, Newsom expressed respect for Rogan's question and maintained his position that vaccines save lives, highlighting his commitment to transparency and accountability. Throughout the exchange, Newsom also expressed personal admiration for Rogan while recognizing that Rogan remains critical of him.