Gavin Newsom continues to be laser-focused on his duties as California governor, which within the yr 2026 means … one other podcast.
The governor sat down with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro on Thursday for a winding dialog that was continuously tedious but in addition illuminating in displaying Newsom has work to do in fine-tuning his presidential marketing campaign speaking factors. The response gave the impression to be two massive ole’ thumbs-down from individuals on each the left and the best,
1. Newsom backs down on ICE criticism
The governor’s workplace has gone toe-to-toe with President Trump and Republicans by waging an aggressive social media marketing campaign that makes use of memes, profanity and private assaults to defend Newsom’s report and in addition deal with subjects of the day. However when requested about posts concerning an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer killing Renee Good, a girl in Minnesota, Newsom acknowledged his social media minions have gone too far.
Shapiro: Your press workplace tweeted out that it was “state-sponsored terrorism.” Governor, I’ve to ask you about that.
Newsom: Appropriate.
Shapiro: That form of factor makes our politics worse.
Newsom: Yeah.
Shapiro: Our ICE officers clearly are usually not terrorists.
Newsom: Yeah.
Shapiro: A tragic scenario isn’t state-sponsored terrorism.
Newsom: Yeah, I feel that’s honest.
One of the fascinating facets of this trade is that it received dunked on from each side of the political spectrum.
A extra liberal commentator on X known as Newsom “spineless,” whereas one other known as it an apparent “flip flop.”
2. Newsom geese transgender debate
The governor’s social media workforce had no downside attacking Elon Musk over the mega-billionaire’s trans youngster, however the governor confirmed off his capability to duck and weave when it got here to questions on kids transitioning.
Newsom: This concept that Trump says persons are going to public faculties and having surgical procedures and coming again the subsequent day is absurd and obscene language.
Gavin Newsom: However there are definitely instances during which children are being “socially transitioned” at college with out mother and father realizing about it. I do know a number of the mother and father to whom this has occurred. I imply, that is the elemental query that lies on the root of all of that is the query that you simply’re not desirous to reply, which is whether or not boys can turn into ladies.
Newsom: Yeah, simply, properly, I feel, for the grace of God. Yeah.
Shapiro: I imply, I admire the sympathy. I additionally really feel horrible. Pay attention, anyone who’s affected by any psychological or bodily situation, that’s horrible.
Newsom: I feel it’s been the case for generations for time in memoriam. , God bless.
Shapiro: Why is that this a tough one? I simply don’t perceive why it is a exhausting one.
3. Newsom clenches up on ‘genocide’ in Gaza
In a transparent signal that Newsom nonetheless has some work to do on his speaking factors concerning the struggle in Gaza, the governor broke out the tae-kwon-doe hand alerts as he tried to clarify his place on whether or not Israel dedicated genocide.
Shapiro: “Israel didn’t commit a genocide in Gaza. There isn’t a commonplace by which Israel dedicated a genocide in Gaza simply on a factual degree. this.”
Gavin Newsom: Simply on a authorized and factual degree.
Shapiro: Sure. What’s your opinion of this?
Newsom: My opinion is I perceive the tendency for individuals to make that, to say that—
Shapiro: Why?
Newsom: On the idea of the pictures and the proportionality—
Shapiro: Ugly s— doesn’t imply genocide. And proportionally doesn’t imply that should you kill my youngster and I then kill seven criminals, that I’ve been disproportionate.
Newsom: I’m not disagreeing with you BUt I perceive that tendency on the idea of attempting to reconcile the proportionate nature of how the struggle was finally carried out.
Ben Shapiro: I’ve a query: Why do you are feeling the necessity to create a permission construction for that form of stuff? Which means, it’s not true? Why not simply say it’s not true?
Gavin Newsom: “I don’t know the authorized definition or threshold. That’s not my opinion, so I don’t share that opinion because it pertains to genocide.”
4. Excessive taxes in California? Look over there!
Newsom stated he “can’t make up for 50-60 years” of rising prices for housing and value of residing in California, however defended his report by including tax credit for households and people with children and foster kids.
Shapiro: How about radically reducing the revenue tax charges within the state?
Newsom: Properly, California has a tax. I imply there’s 16 states proper now. Let’s discuss these 16 states.
Shapiro: Why don’t we discuss California? That’s the place you’re in cost.
Newsom: I’m going to. They tax their low-wage earners greater than they tax their high-wage earners. Let’s discuss reducing the tax charge in these 16 states.
5. Newsom takes credit score for California’s bloated finances
The governor took purpose at Trump for not caring concerning the nationwide debt whereas touting his not too long ago launched finances, which state auditors could dispute with much more dire deficit projections. Critics have known as Newsom’s finances overly optimistic and more likely to kick the can down the street for whomever turns into California’s subsequent governor.
Newsom: We now have established you just like the “Large Stunning Invoice” because it pertains to the tax construction. You don’t give a rattling about debt, however that’s one other dialog.
Shapiro: Oh no, I positively give a rattling about debt.
Newsom: Trump doesn’t seem to, does he?
Shapiro: I don’t assume anybody appears to care very a lot about debt, governor, to be honest.
Gavin Newsom: Properly, we steadiness our budgets, only for the report. Only for the report.
Shapiro: I imply … sort of.
