Gavin Newsom says he'll keep cozying up to conservatives on his podcast, because Democrats have to talk to Republicans ... if they're gonna start beating 'em at the polls.

Gavin Newsom told Bill Maher "the Democratic brand is toxic right" -- because of cancel culture. In his interview at the top of Friday's "Real Time with Bill Maher," the California governor also called for the party to rebrand.

California's Democratic governor made his blistering remark during an interview with "Real Time" host Bill Maher.