Armstrong & Getty: Newsom Would Get COVID 'Pass' From Legacy Media If He's the Nominee

On the September 22, 2026 episode of The Armstrong & Getty Show, titled "Get Out Of The Way Old Man!", host Jack Armstrong and a co-host on the program revisited California's COVID-19 lockdown policies under Gov. Gavin Newsom, arguing the governor has avoided sustained scrutiny for decisions made during the pandemic.

The co-host described California's restrictions as severe, citing three years of school closures and enforcement measures including filling skate parks with sand and arresting a lone paddleboarder off the coast. The co-host said these episodes demonstrated what they called authoritarian tendencies on Newsom's part and argued the governor now downplays his own role in ordering the measures.

Armstrong pressed the point, asking directly whether legacy outlets would scrutinize Newsom going forward. The co-host predicted national media would not press hard if Newsom becomes the Democratic presidential nominee. "Yeah, exactly. Like he was being told, you have to do this, which, no, obvious. It became obvious within a couple weeks that these were his decisions. And He has to own it. Yes, the mainstream media, the legacy media is going to give him a pass if he is the nominee. If he's not the nominee, then it'll be interesting to see if anybody drills down on him a little bit," the co-host said.

The conversation turned to a widely circulated video of Newsom fly fishing during a sit-down with CNN's Jake Tapper. Armstrong asked, "Do you think that fly fishing thing with Jake Tapper worked for him or not?" The co-host was blunt in response: "No, I think it was an epic fail." The co-host went on to describe the segment as staged and said the presence of hair and makeup staff nearby undercut any attempt at an everyman image.

Hosts framed the exchange within a broader discussion of political authenticity, comparing Newsom unfavorably to past candidates they described as more comfortable in front of cameras. No specific policy proposal or upcoming event was cited; the discussion centered on Newsom's public image and pandemic-era record as speculation about a 2028 presidential run continues.

Heard on The Armstrong & Getty Show — Get Out Of The Way Old Man! (2026-09-22).