Democratic Governor Criticizes Newsom for Hosting Steve Bannon on Podcast

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear didn’t hold back when he criticized fellow Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom for featuring Steve Bannon on his new podcast. Beshear, speaking at a Democratic policy retreat in Virginia, stated, "I don’t think we should give him oxygen on any platform, ever, anywhere." This remark came just one day after the contentious episode aired.

The episode, part of Newsom’s new podcast titled "This is Gavin Newsom," introduced Bannon as a "former Trump White House chief strategist and MAGA architect." Newsom’s decision to showcase Bannon—a figure notorious for divisive rhetoric—has sparked a wave of backlash from both sides of the political spectrum.

Beshear acknowledged the value in engaging with diverse perspectives, saying, "I think that Governor Newsom bringing on different voices is great; we shouldn’t be afraid to talk and to debate just about anyone." However, he strongly emphasized that Bannon’s history of promoting hatred, anger, and even violence disqualifies him from deserving such a platform. Newsom’s office has yet to respond to the criticism.

Adding to the controversy, former Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger also voiced his disapproval. He took to the platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I am in shock at the stupidity of Gavin Newsom inviting Steve Bannon on his podcast. 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." Ouch. That’s a lot of heat coming from someone who’s no stranger to political infighting.

This is not the first time Newsom has ventured into discussions with polarizing conservative voices. In the inaugural episode of his podcast, he sat down with Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, to dissect his party’s shortcomings during the 2024 presidential election. Newsom even praised Kirk’s success in mobilizing young voters for Trump, describing it as a pivotal achievement.

Newsom defended his podcast’s approach, explaining to Politico that understanding Trump’s movement is "critically important" and that Democrats need to adopt "new and unique ways of talking to people." While his intentions may have been aimed at bridging divides or understanding opposing viewpoints, the choice of guests like Bannon and Kirk has clearly struck a nerve among both Democrats and Republicans.

Regardless of whether you see Newsom’s strategy as bold or reckless, one thing is certain—it’s stirring the pot in a political landscape already brimming with tension. Stay tuned, because this debate isn’t likely to cool down anytime soon.