Kentucky Gov. Andy Besher sharply opposed Bannon's decision to host Bannon's new podcast this week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who will host Steve Bannon, one of the architects of the Magazine Movement.
Bessia, a Democrat who was run mate of former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 and was judged to be considered a potential presidential candidate in 2028, made a comment Thursday shortly before speaking to House Democrats who gathered for a retreat of the Northern Virginia project this week.
“I think it's great that Governor Newsom brings a variety of voices,” Bessia told a small group of reporters. “We shouldn't be afraid of anyone talking or discussing, but Steve Bannon is advocating hatred and anger, and at some point violence.
Besher was talking to the meeting along with two other Democratic governors who could be considered Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.
Newsom is also considered a potential 2028 candidate. He launched a podcast this month, bringing famous conservatives, including Bannon, a fierce Trump loyalist, and Charlie Kirk, who leads the conservative network of Turning Point USA.
Newsom's decision to host Kirk, particularly Bannon, has taken some hit. Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican senator who didn't make a reelection in 2022 after becoming a voice Trump critic, said hosting them was “crazy.”
“Many of us on the right are taking these people at the expense of our careers and Newsom is trying to create a career with them,” Kinzinger said.
Newsom described himself in an email to supporters Wednesday.
“I think it's very important to understand how the Magazine rights were organized in the last election and what they're thinking in a few weeks, months, and years,” Newsom wrote. “I also don't think other places like Steve Bannon (self-proclaimed populists) will be asked to protect the harmful effects of Trump's tariffs.”
Newsom's next guest was Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz, Harris' running mate last year.
During a podcast with Kirk, Newsom split up with some at his party when he said that trans athletes' participation in women's sports was “deeply unfair.”
Beshear also distinguished the issue from Newsom. In 2022, Besher rejected a law that allowed student-athletes to play only in sports, based on the genders listed on their birth certificates. His veto was nullified.
“I think sports need to be fair, but I believe our various leagues have more than the ability to do that,” Bessia said Thursday, adding that the Kentucky High School Athletic Association has its own rules to prevent “unfair benefits.”
“But our council decided we had to give something anyway,” he added. “And you know what they did? They removed the opportunity for the only trans athlete we had in our state. He started a field hockey team at her school and a field hockey team that he never made friends.
“So, certainly, in this overall discussion, we can see some humanity and some different perspectives.”
Regarding Newsom's podcast, Beshear said he hadn't heard the entire episode.
“I haven't gone yet,” he said with a laugh. “Don't tell him that.”
