Current Affairs Ro Khanna: “Newsom Doesn’t Want to Offend the Donor Class”
Jan 24, 2026
Ro Khanna, U.S. Representative from Silicon Valley and progressive reformer, discusses releasing Epstein files, pushing a billionaire tax, and rebuilding a New Deal-style coalition. He tackles U.S. foreign policy choices, debates over Israel aid and genocide terminology, and strategies to curb elite donor influence in politics.
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Use Legal Pressure And Impeachment As Leverage
- Build pressure through legal avenues and bipartisan coalitions to force document release.
- Use survivors' lawyers and impeachment threats as leverage against obstructionist officials.
Billionaire Tax As A Modest Social Contract
- Khanna frames a billionaire asset tax as a modest social contract to fund healthcare and education.
- He argues asking ultra-wealthy to pay about 1% yearly return is reasonable given public needs.
Change Requires Political Courage, Not Voluntary Giving
- Khanna notes elites rarely voluntarily fund social goods; political leaders must force change.
- He frames his fights against tech donors and AIPAC as part of a broader Democratic realignment.