Podcast Summary: "This is Gavin Newsom"

Episode: And, This Is Sean Spicer On Why He Thinks People Want To Be On Team Trump This Time Around
Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Gavin Newsom
Guest: Sean Spicer (Former White House Press Secretary, Podcaster, Substacker)

Overview

This episode features an in-depth, highly frank conversation between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Sean Spicer, the former Press Secretary under President Trump who now runs his own podcast, Substack, and political operations. Newsom’s podcast aims to foster honest, civil debate, including with those whose views sharply differ from his own. The discussion traces Spicer’s post-White House journey, the evolving media landscape, the health of American democracy, the transformation of Trump’s second term, and mounting concerns around truth, trust, and federal authority.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sean Spicer’s Post-White House Career & Media Evolution

(Start – 09:20)

• Spicer’s Path Since 2017: After leaving the White House, Sean Spicer wrote a book, joined Newsmax with his own show, then pivoted to own his content, launching podcasts and leveraging the rise of independent media.
• New Ventures: Spicer’s main focus is now on 'The Morning Meeting' podcast with Mark Halperin (political journalist) and Dan Turntine (former Clinton finance director), described as a civically valuable daily roundtable—"We're not there to win the day... our goal is to explain why something is happening." (Spicer, 08:04)
• Media Fragmentation & Ownership: Spicer emphasizes the opportunity for true content ownership and the hustle required in today’s independent media environment.

Notable Quote:
"I’d rather go this route, own my show, own the content, be able to decide who I want to have on, the direction of the show."
—Sean Spicer [05:26]

2. The Current State of Media & Journalism

(09:20 – 15:08)

• Increasing Choices—and Polarization: Spicer pushes back on the idea that journalism is declining, instead arguing that “it’s much healthier now” due to the proliferation of independent sources.
• Role of Punditry: Spicer critiques networks for employing pundits with little real-world campaign experience, emphasizing the value of voices—like his—“who’ve been in the room.”
• Algorithmic Influence: Newsom raises the risk of algorithms feeding echo chambers, making it “harder to discover objective facts.” Spicer agrees it’s a problem, but contrasts this with past media gatekeeping.

Notable Quote:
"I love the idea that if you want more of a partisan tinge, you know where to go… if you really want news. On the technology front, there’s tons of people putting out blogs and substacks..."
—Sean Spicer [13:55]

3. Fox News’ Dominance and Cable’s Future

(18:33 – 21:13)

• Why the Right Dominates Cable Ratings: Spicer explains that Fox fills a singular void for right-leaning viewers, while major networks divide the left-of-center audience.
• Aging Demographic, Cord-Cutters: Both agree cable faces an existential crisis as viewers increasingly move to streaming and digital, accelerating the shift to independent voices.

Notable Quote:
"Fox is the 800-pound gorilla, but it’s alone... Fox kind of consolidates the right of center view of the world."
—Sean Spicer [19:03]

4. Life After the Trump Administration—Costs and Benefits

(21:13 – 25:09)

• Double-Edged Sword of Trump Ties: Spicer acknowledges that serving as Trump’s press secretary opened doors he’d never imagined, but also brought intense personal attacks and pushback.
• Changed Attitudes in Trump’s “2.0” Term: He describes a stark shift: brands and organizations are now publicly eager to associate with Trump world, contrasting the “cloak and dagger” era of his first tenure.

Notable Quote:
"The first iteration of Trump was fairly vicious... This second term, I mean, it’s like night and day. People are excited to work with you. It’s the opposite."
—Sean Spicer [23:37]

5. Trump’s Second Term: More Discipline, Professionalism, and Achievements?

(31:49 – 37:50)

• Well-Oiled Machine? Spicer hails the “discipline” and “focus on results” of Trump’s current administration, arguing the personnel are “doers” and the policy rollouts are now far more professional.
• Cabinet Meetings and “Dear Leader” Moments: Newsom asks about the performative loyalty in Cabinet meetings. Spicer suggests “delivery matters” but defends the president’s focus on accountability: “They have to then go into, what did you get done?” (34:18)
• Learning from First-Term Mistakes: Spicer contrasts current processes (e.g., the Lisa Cook firing) with past, more improvisational moments (like Comey’s termination).

Notable Quote:
"There’s three things: the people, the process, and the policies... Every one of these people... is a doer. They’re getting things done. They’re a disruptor, and that’s what [the media is] missing."
—Sean Spicer [36:07]

6. Controversies: DOJ, “Weaponization,” and Selective Prosecution

(37:50 – 44:15)

• Selective Prosecution Debate: Newsom challenges the rationale behind current prosecutions (Schiff, Tish James, Lisa Cook) and asks whether these moves are more “professional” or just retribution.
• Spicer’s View: Spicer sees these actions as justified, invoking legal frameworks for removal; he draws parallels to “weaponization” against Trump in New York.
• Due Process and Trust: Newsom expresses concern about firing officials for presenting inconvenient facts, warning about the erosion of public trust.

Notable Quotes:

• "If we're gonna claim that what's going on now is bad, then where were all these voices for the last four years? ... What happened to Trump in New York in particular is complete and utter BS."
  —Sean Spicer [42:47]

• "Selective prosecution... is a little dark and a little ominous."
  —Gavin Newsom [44:09]

7. Presidential Power over the Fed & Federal Agencies

(45:39 – 50:00)

• Firing of Officials: Spicer references his own dismissal from the U.S. Naval Academy board under Biden, arguing the courts have affirmed sweeping presidential power over appointees.
• Independence of the Fed: Newsom is troubled by the idea of the president influencing the Federal Reserve or other data-collecting agencies, equating it to dangerous politicization.
• Spicer’s Defense: He claims past presidents have always pressured the Fed, it’s not new, and Trump merely does so “more vocally.”

8. The State of the U.S. Economy, Industrial Policy, and Cronyism

(58:31 – 65:45)

• Industrial Policy: Newsom critiques Trump-era policies promoting government stakes in defense, chip, and tech companies—likening it to “crony capitalism” and Chinese-style central planning.
• Spicer’s Take: He appreciates the government seeking returns on its investments but admits concerns about long-term precedents: “I worry about how a future president uses this...”
• Debt and Deficit Concerns: Both bemoan the ballooning federal deficit and spending but disagree on solutions and accountability.

Notable Quotes:

• "As a free enterprise guy, what concerns me is the long term... there is a decent odds that a Democrat gets back in and what do they do with a stake in a private company?"
  —Sean Spicer [61:01]

• "What the hell happened to debt and deficits? $4.1 trillion stacking... our kids are going to be buried."
  —Gavin Newsom [66:38]

9. Civic Grace, Trust, and the Need for Honest Conversation

(68:29 – End)

• Civic Healing: Newsom reiterates the importance of conversation across divides, committing to “grace and understanding.”
• Plug for Spicer’s Morning Podcast: Listeners are encouraged to join the daily “morning meeting” for open discussions and live listener questions.
• Final Reflections: Both express appreciation for the civil debate, and Newsom highlights the need to avoid “divorce”—that Americans must find terms to live together.

Most Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "I’d rather go this route, own my show, own the content, be able to decide who I want to have on."
  —Sean Spicer [05:26]

• "We’re not there to win the day. Right. So I’ll gladly say ten times a day. Dan’s got a good point there... Our goal... is to explain why something’s happening."
  —Sean Spicer [08:04]

• "Fox is the 800-pound gorilla, but it’s alone... Fox kind of consolidates the right of center view of the world."
  —Sean Spicer [19:03]

• "The first iteration of Trump was fairly vicious... This second term, I mean, it’s like night and day. People are excited to work with you."
  —Sean Spicer [23:37]

• "There’s three things: the people, the process, and the policies... Every one of these people... is a doer."
  —Sean Spicer [36:07]

• "Selective prosecution... is a little dark and a little ominous."
  —Gavin Newsom [44:09]

• "As a free enterprise guy, what concerns me is the long term... what do they do with a stake in a private company?"
  —Sean Spicer [61:01]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Spicer’s media career & the rise of independent media – [02:58 – 09:20]
• State of journalism, polarization & algorithms – [09:20 – 15:55]
• Fox News’ dominance & cable’s existential crisis – [18:33 – 21:13]
• Life after Trump White House: opportunities & backlash – [21:13 – 25:09]
• Differences between Trump 1.0 and 2.0 – [31:49 – 37:50]
• Prosecution, retribution, and process debates – [37:50 – 44:15]
• Federal Reserve independence & political influence – [45:39 – 50:00]
• Industrial policy, cronyism, and debt/deficit worries – [58:31 – 67:57]
• Civic grace & future of the American project – [68:29 – End]

Tone & Takeaways

• The conversation is direct yet civil—an honest, sometimes biting, but ultimately constructive debate.
• Spicer defends Trump’s second term as results-driven and professional; Newsom presses hard on trust, truth, and institutional integrity.
• Both express clear concern about polarization, politicization of institutions, and America’s fiscal path.
• The show underscores the value of good-faith argument and understanding in a divided nation.