Newsom's podcast criticized by Dems for platforming Trump allies
When Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., released his first episode of the “This is Gavin Newsom Podcast” last month, backlash was swift.
And not just from social media, but from members of his own party.
We spoke to a number of Democrats on Capitol Hill who told Spectrum News they aren't fans of Newsom's podcast.
“I haven’t listened to it, and I don’t think I will listen to it,” said Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt.
Balint, like many Democrats we spoke with, says she is alarmed by the people Newsom is choosing to boost with his podcast, such as Bannon and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. Bannon is a right-wing populist who pushed for the rally that led to the Capitol Hill riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and Kirk’s organization rallies young conservatives on high school and college campuses.
“I don’t think that it is the right strategy to platform those people,” she explained. “I think it’s fine to be engaging with the folks who are listening to those voices. I don’t think, personally, that he should be giving them yet another platform.”