Newsom addresses featuring conservative voices on new podcast
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) addressed his decision to feature conservative populists on his new podcast “This is Gavin Newsom” in an interview with the New York Times amid recent blowback.
The California Democrat said recent guests, including Charlie Kirk, co-founder of the right-wing advocacy organization, Turning Point USA, Steve Bannon, host of the War Room podcast and commentator Michael Savage, have captured America’s attention — including his 13-year-old son.
Newsom said the teenager raved about his father’s interview with Kirk prior to the taping.
“‘What time? What time is Charlie going to be here?’” Newsom said his son repeatedly asked the day before the segment, according to the Times.
“And I’m like, ‘Dude, you’re in school tomorrow,’” the lawmaker said of his response.
However, the enthusiasm and excitement marked a huge stake in the Democrats’ judgment of conservative figures with a widespread working-class fanbase.
“This issue of young men and what’s happened to our party is deeply on my mind and will be deeply part of my podcast,” Newsom told the Times.
He noted that he will also aim to explore “the things that we’re uncomfortable exploring.”
The California governor said while the country progresses towards inclusive politics, many demographics feel left behind.
“There’s a crisis of men and masculinity in this country,” Newsom said.
“And that’s a hard thing for Democrats because we want to lift up women. We want to lift up the oppressed.”
The topic came up during a recent episode with Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), where the two discussed the Democrats' opportunities to gain voters in the upcoming elections.
“I can’t message to misogynists,” the former vice presidential nominee told Newsom.
But the California lawmaker said party leaders should hear differing opinions before ruling out the people who voice them.
“You’ve got to respect people you disagree with, you can’t just dismiss people,” Newsom said during the segment.
He highlighted online conservative influencers who have successfully connected with voters as an example of the change in political culture sweeping across the younger generation.
“Not only do they exist, they persist and they influence young people every day,” Newsom said.
He encouraged the Democratic party to get on the “offense” instead of “defense” by using open dialogue to draw people in.
Newsom has faced some criticism for giving conservative voices a platform, including from former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), who said he was “in shock at the stupidity” of Newsom interviewing Bannon.
“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," he previously said.