Mehdi Unfiltered Mehdi Asks Billionaire Candidate Tom Steyer About Money, Trump, and Prosecuting ICE
May 5, 2026
Tom Steyer, billionaire investor turned progressive activist and California gubernatorial candidate, discusses prosecuting ICE abuses, his hedge fund's past fossil fuel ties, and how he plans to confront utilities, realtors, and corporate influence. Short, direct conversations cover single-payer health, housing plans, climate preparedness, and why he says his spending is needed to fight entrenched interests.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Steyer Framing Himself As The Progressive Change Agent
- Tom Steyer positions himself as the only true progressive change-agent in the California governor's race.
- He emphasizes taking on corporate interests, single-payer health, and prosecuting ICE to differentiate from rivals like Gavin Newsom and Javier Becerra.
Push Single Payer By Committing And Building Will
- Do push for single-payer health care as governor by committing publicly and building the political will to pass it.
- Steyer says Gavin Newsom gave up and he will fight to enact single-payer statewide despite past legislative failures.
Pair Controlled Burns With Home Hardening
- Do combine macro and micro wildfire strategies: invest in controlled burns and advanced monitoring while hardening homes.
- Steyer cites space and drone monitoring and home hardening like clearing vegetation within five feet as priorities.