Gavin Newsom Hosts Steve Bannon on Podcast, Discussing Musk, Trump, and Taxes

Governor Gavin Newsom Engages in Dialogue with Stephen Bannon on Podcast, Spotlighting Unusual Policy Overlaps

California Governor Gavin Newsom, known as one of America’s most influential Democrats, took an unexpected turn this week by inviting Stephen K. Bannon, a prominent figure in the MAGA movement and former advisor to Donald Trump, onto his podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom.” The conversation, which spanned an hour, was characterized by both cordiality and notable policy overlaps, providing a unique platform for dialogue amidst their differing political ideologies.

The podcast included a variety of discussion topics, primarily focusing on economic issues while intentionally sidestepping contentious culture-war subjects—in sharp contrast to an earlier episode where Newsom openly criticized peers in his party over the issue of transgender athletes participating in sports. This latest episode with Bannon allowed for intriguing glimpses into the perspectives of both men as they navigated complex national and global issues.

Notably, Bannon seems to be on a mission to shift some Democrats from what he calls "globalism" to "populism," a notion he whimsically presented to Newsom. “This is part of the process to unwind you from being a globalist to make you a populist nationalist,” Bannon said during their conversation. To this, Newsom replied with amusement, suggesting the dialogue was akin to a "deprogramming" process.

Rather than challenging Bannon on his assertions—such as his repeated claims that Trump won the 2020 election—Newsom adopted a style of cautious engagement, interjecting at select moments. For instance, when Bannon referred to Senator Elizabeth Warren with the derogatory moniker “Pocahontas,” Newsom quickly corrected him, opting for a more respectful address of “Senator Warren.”

While their discussion was primarily dominated by Bannon’s agenda, surprising areas of agreement emerged. Both figures expressed skepticism towards Elon Musk and shared a common disdain for tax cuts favoring the wealthy and corporations. “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,” Bannon stated, to which Newsom encouraged him to convey this message to Trump.

Bannon’s overall approach seemed to aim at recruiting Newsom to his economic populist vision, praising figures like California Congressman Ro Khanna and Senator John Fetterman as potential allies. He underscored the necessity for united action against powerful oligarchs and the importance of collaboration between their two political wings.

“If we’re ever to get control of the oligarchs, you, as governor and as, quite frankly, the leader of that wing of the party, have got to work with us to say, ‘Hey, this can’t go on any longer,’” Bannon insisted. The conversation delved into the Federal Trade Commission’s former chair, Lina Khan, a subject Bannon approached favorably, contrasting her tenure with Trump’s administration that dismissed her. Newsom, illustrating his awareness of the past policies, recounted Trump’s cavalier attitude towards federal deficits, quoting him as saying “Printing press” dismissively.

As Bannon pushed the idea that Trump was merely joking about his stance on government spending, Newsom retorted with skepticism, emphasizing that the former president’s actions during his term did not align with a commitment to cutting government size.

Bannon also called for reductions in military spending and social programs that serve many Republicans, such as Medicaid, stating that “There’s a lot of MAGA on Medicaid.” This admission opened the floor for discussions regarding the implications of such cuts, acknowledging that it would not be an easy path politically.

In the grander context of the podcast, Newsom has been navigating different media channels in his final years as governor, as many speculate about his potential run for the presidency in 2028. His previous podcast experience with figures such as NFL agent Doug Hendrickson and sports personality Marshawn Lynch veered away from politics, focusing instead on celebrity interactions. However, recognizing the need for strategic communication, he has pivoted to feature conservative voices that are influential within Trump’s base.

The episode also addressed the relationship between Newsom and Trump, with the governor revealing that he had recently met with Trump in the Oval Office to discuss disaster aid for California’s wildfire recovery. “We’re getting along, Trump and I,” Newsom stated, indicating a willingness to transcend partisan lines when necessary.

A particularly striking moment in the conversation involved both men’s views on Elon Musk. While Bannon has controversially criticized Musk as a “parasitic illegal immigrant,” Newsom expressed shared concerns over Musk’s business practices. Their dialogue hinted at a rare moment of alignment, as Newsom acknowledged the role of California in fostering Musk’s rise through state support for clean vehicle incentives.

In summary, Newsom’s engagement with Bannon on his podcast represents a daring move to bridge the divide between political factions, exploring unexpected common ground while also challenging narratives. This dialogue not only sheds light on the complexities of political alignment but also reflects Newsom’s strategy of embracing dialogue as a means to appeal to a broader audience in the rapidly changing landscape of American politics.