California Gov. Gavin Newsom yet again used his podcast to frame himself as not so different on policy from a far-right figure — in this case, Steve Bannon.
This time, the policy in question was more standard Democratic fare than when Newsom said on a previous podcast that it was unfair for trans athletes to participate in girls’ and women’s sports.
Bannon, a MAGA personality and close ally to President Donald Trump, said the upcoming tax bill will see some fundamental changes to corporate tax policy to further advance what he calls the America First Agenda.
“That’s my kind of DOGE,” Newsom replied.
The term-limited governor’s new podcast is part of an appeal to a national right-wing audience. His first episode sent shockwaves through the California congressional delegation as he broke with his party on the issue of transgender rights during his conversation with Charlie Kirk, another MAGA personality
On the Bannon episode, Newsom similarly emphasized common ground with a conservative.
Bannon argued that the richest 1% in America controls Washington, and “unless they work together with working-class and middle-class people to get this spending out of control,” they will see an additional tax increase this summer. Subsidies for oil companies should be safeguarded, Bannon added.
Newsom told Bannon — and his MAGA national audience — that their economic visions were not too far apart.
“We’re having this dialogue about your different approach. I mean, in some ways, it’s the California tax policy, as it relates to a more progressive tax policy that favors the working class, that favors the middle class,” Newsom said.
Newsom’s choice of podcast guests has drawn ire, including from former Rep. Adam Kinzinger.
I am in shock at the stupidity of @GavinNewsom inviting Steve Bannon on his podcast,” he wrote on X. “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.”
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Samuel Larreal is a NOTUS reporter and an Allbritton Journalism Institute fellow.