Democrats, Republicans Sound Off On Newsom After Steve Bannon Podcast

Governor Gavin Newsom’s newest podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” was denounced by many on the right and the left this week for having former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon on the show, puling in more controversy than his inaugural episode with Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.

The episode, titled “And, This is Steve Bannon” was released late on Tuesday and was all over the map. Questions about Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) went everywhere from agreement, to calling the other one out for being a hypocrite. After Bannon called Musk a “parasitic illegal immigrant,” Newsom said “We may share some commonality in terms of concern about what he’s doing.”

“You loved all oligarchs, in particular Elon, until they flipped,” Bannon fired back, rendering Newsom speechless for a moment.

When the conversation went to DOGE, Bannon approved of some cuts, but not tax cuts for wealthy Americans and large corporations.

“I’ve got a lot of problems with Elon, and you know that, Elon knows it. But what I do admire is that he is trying to get this situation to get the waste, fraud and abuse out. But the tax cuts. The upper bracket shouldn’t get it, and even some of the corporations shouldn’t get it if they’re just going to do stock buybacks,” explained Bannon.

“Tell your president that Steve,” said Newsom in response.

The entire episode was like that. The two would oddly agree with points then within a minute or two they would be sniping at each other.

However, the sheer fact that he talked with Bannon on irked many on the left, with several potential 2028 Democratic rivals for the presidency slamming Newsom for the interview.

Fallout from the Bannon interview

“I don’t think we should give him oxygen on any platform, ever, anywhere,” expressed Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) while at a Democratic policy retreat in Virginia Thursday. “I think that Governor Newsom bringing on different voices is great, we shouldn’t be afraid to talk and to debate just about anyone. But Steve Bannon espouses hatred and anger, and even at some points, violence, and I don’t think we should give him oxygen on any platform, ever, anywhere.”

Blowback also came from former lawmakers who said that they thought they trusted Newsom for being one of the main voices against Trump.

“I am in shock at the stupidity of inviting Steve Bannon on his podcast,” said former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R). “Many of us on the right sacrificed careers to fight Bannon, and Newsom is trying to make a career and a presidential run by building him up. Unforgivable and insane. Bannon is the one who is basically the author of where we are. And because Gavin Newsom wants to run for president, he brings on this nationalist.”

On the right, many simply called out Newsom for trying to sound more moderate by talking with people like Kirk and Bannon, and is also trying to keep attention on what he says rather than what he is actively doing as Governor. As the Globe put it last month “Newsom is trying to distance himself from himself.”

The fallout from the Bannon interview this week is only the latest setback Newsom has experienced from his new podcast.

Newsom first announced “This is Gavin Newsom” last month amidst many Californians saying that he mishandled the wildfires and the recall movement against him gaining steam.

“I’m here to stress test positions, including my own, in a more transparent manner,” explained Newsom last month. “It’s not a place everyone comes for therapy. I’m not looking to just give the orthodoxy — progressive and liberal talking points. There are so many outstanding people doing that, like our gifted professionals. I add no value in that space. I’m a redundant voice. But what I think I can offer is as a practitioner — not an ideologue, not a pundit: I’m in it as much or more than most elected officials in this country, because I’m in the largest state. I’m in a state that’s deeply on the mind of the administration. I’m in a state that is profoundly critical to the fate and future as it relates to some of the most critical industries like artificial intelligence, and obviously in this remarkable moment as it relates to geopolitical re-calibration.”

Even before the first episode aired, many called him out on hosting a second podcast instead of doing his Governor duties. Others said that the podcasts, both This is Gavin Newsom and Politickin’, would serve as a way for Newsom to stay in the public eye between leaving office in 2027 to when he announces his candidacy for president. And then there were those that said this was just a way for Newsom to look good and look more centrist in the leadup to his presidential candidacy.

A growing disaster for Newsom

Episode 1 was a disaster for Newsom, with Kirk walking all over Newsom, and turning the tables on Newsom, by having him admit that he thinks that it was deeply unfair to have trans athletes competing against women in sports. Further in the interview, Newsom even asked for advice for the Democratic party from Kirk and admitted that his own son was drawn more to the GOP now. Republicans roasted Newsom for his performance with Democrats blasting Newsom for his reversal on trans rights.

“The Governor has had many courageous moments over the decades supporting LGBTQ people,” said Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) earlier this month. “He has taken significant political hits for doing so. I and so many will be forever grateful for that courage. This is not one of those moments. Charlie Kirk is a vile bigot, and standing with him on this issue is profoundly disturbing.”

His second guest was political commentator Michael Savage, which was seen largely as passable yet forgettable. And then came the Bannon appearance this week.

Newsom never really received support from anyone on the right and was so-so on support from moderates. Mostly, he banked on the large numbers of Democrats in the state to win in 2018 and 2022, as well as avoid a recall in 2021. His support has been a bit more scattershot here and there, but broadly speaking, that’s how the elections went.

Newsom needs more moderate support to potentially win the presidency in 2028, and he has been shifting to the center for the past few years in preparation. Let’s face it, first-term Newsom would have never have vetoed reparations bills or told lawmakers that he would not support cash payment reparations. First-term Newsom would not be trying to go tougher on crime. But second-term Newsom needs broader nationwide appeal in 2028. Why not have some conservatives on and agree with them on some points.

But everyone knows what he is doing. And the latest episode is just more proof of that.

“There are some people like Beshear who have things to gain from going after Newsom for talking with Bannon,” explained media analyst Lydia Hart to the Globe on Friday. “But there are others with nothing to politically gain going after him. Wiener sounded genuinely hurt by Newsom’s trans athlete comments, and that may have cost him significant LGBT support, especially if someone like Buttigieg runs.

“Actions speak louder than words. Newsom needs to realize this.”