Shapiro: "Why don't we talk about California? That's why we're on your show" Newsom: "Let's talk about lowering those tax rates in those 16 states"

Newsom tries to avoid the subject of California's high state income tax.

Ben Shapiro: "How about radically lowering the income tax rates in the state?"

Gavin Newsom: "California has tax, I mean there's 16 states right now, let's talk about those 16 states"

Shapiro: "Why don't we talk about California? That's why we're on your show"

Newsom: "Let's… pic.twitter.com/HUdZdZJimE

— Ryan Saavedra (@RyanSaavedra) January 16, 2026