Newsom’s distracted by his personal podcast brand, and the ethics behind it are getting harder to ignore
While California deals with real problems, Gavin Newsom is busy launching another vanity podcast to rehab his national image.
But behind the mic? The setup looks like a financial slow burn, structured to pay off the minute he leaves office.
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
- In July 2024, Newsom launched “Politickin’” with former NFL star Marshawn Lynch and sports agent Doug Hendrickson.
- That same month, he acquired at least 10% of BBF Productions, the company behind the podcast.
- BBF is managed by a trust controlled by Shyla Hendrickson who also manages Newsom’s blind trust and is married to his co-host.
- Doug Hendrickson signed BBF’s founding documents, then denied involvement.
So, to recap:
The person charged with keeping Newsom’s finances conflict-free is managing the podcasting company he owns, while her husband co-hosts the show with him.
Newsom claims BBF is valued under $2,000, earned him less than $500, and provides him “no rights to income while in office.” However, BBF is already funnelling money into his blind trust. And once Newsom is out of office, nothing stops the checks from coming.
Californians are frustrated that Newsom is ignoring his constituents in favor of a podcast, but the possibility that he could line his pockets from it after he leaves office makes the whole thing even slimier.
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