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The AIPAC question that broke the brain of Gavin Newsom

October 15, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom, typically known as an articulate and confident communicator, stumbled awkwardly when podcast host Van Lathan asked whether he would accept campaign contributions from AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group. Instead of providing a clear answer, Newsom repeatedly said "that's interesting" and claimed he hadn't heard AIPAC mentioned in years, despite the organization publicly thanking him for visiting Israel in 2023. The evasive response went viral and drew criticism from progressive politicians, including Congressman Ro Khanna, who called on Democratic leaders to reject AIPAC money and acknowledge the genocide in Gaza to regain credibility with young voters.

Who is affected

  • Governor Gavin Newsom (subject of criticism)
  • Van Lathan (podcast host who asked the question)
  • Progressive Congress members previously targeted by AIPAC (Ilhan Omar, Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee, and formerly Cynthia McKinney)
  • Congressman Ro Khanna (who publicly rebuked Newsom)
  • Young voters concerned about Gaza
  • The Democratic Party
  • Palestinians in Gaza
  • Nina Turner and Matt Duss (political commentators who criticized Newsom's response)

What action is being taken

  • No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The article discusses a past interview exchange and subsequent reactions, but does not describe actions currently underway.

Why it matters

  • This matters because it exposes how rarely protected politicians face substantive questions about ethics and campaign finance, particularly regarding AIPAC's significant influence in American politics. The issue has become a litmus test for young voters concerned about U.S. complicity in Gaza, and how candidates respond to questions about AIPAC funding could determine their viability in future elections, including the 2028 presidential race. Newsom's evasion suggests vulnerability among establishment Democrats on an issue that progressive voters and politicians like Ro Khanna consider "defining for the future of our party," making it a critical test of whether leaders will prioritize human rights over donor relationships.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper