The Choice 2024: Newt Gingrich (interview) | FRONTLINE

Newt Gingrich, a former Republican congressman, was the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. He is the author of several books, including Understanding Trump and March to the Majority: The Real Story of the Republican Revolution.
The following interview was conducted by the Kirk Documentary Group’s Mike Wiser for FRONTLINE on April 2, 2024, prior to Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. It has been edited for clarity and length.
This interview is being published as part of FRONTLINE’s Transparency Project, an effort to open up the source material behind our documentaries. Explore the transcript of this interview, and others, on the FRONTLINE website: www.pbs.org/wg...
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Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation; the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Park Foundation; and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, and additional support from Koo and Patricia Yuen.

[@frontline]

“The Choice 2024,” the latest edition of FRONTLINE’s critically acclaimed election-year special, is streaming now. Watch the full documentary, investigating the lives and characters of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump as they seek the presidency. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5uzqX9rrJiChbc

[@jessetorres8738]

I once saw a KZbin video where the host explained that the stalemate & ultra partisanship we see in the Congress today really began in 1995 when Newt Gingrich became the House Speaker. Prior to 1995, we saw a lot more compromise between the parties in the Congress, especially if the President was from the opposite party as the 1 that controlled the Congress. But once Gingrich became Speaker, as he himself once admitted, his primary goal was to prevent Clinton from passing anything to hurt his chances of getting re-elected & led a bunch of (mostly non-serious) investigations into Clinton & other high ranking Democrats. Whenever the President is from 1 political party but the Congress is controlled by the other we have seen this happen with all 5 Presidents since 1995.

[@panoptos4163]

History should not reflect kindly on this man. He is largely responsible for where our politics finds itself in 2024.

[@Lerian_V]

He paved the way for Trump. I like the guy.

[@louislinsley3128]

Yup. Newt Gingrich laid the groundwork for MAGA in 1994!

[@onomatopoeia162003]

nah. On certain issue's. That would be Nixon. Then Reagan and so on just accelerated it.

[@mbk1487]

So rich for a guy who’s been in politics for my entire lifetime to criticize “the establishment”. 🙄

[@A38]

Gaslight, obstruct, project(

[@louisbee7923]

Thank you PBS for showing us again what a traitor looks like. When they say there's no justice in america, just watch this clown still walking around free as a bird.

[@NeidlichesSchwert]

America, not america.

[@4greendeep6]

Lighten up, Louise. Quit clutching your fake pearls.

[@rosenelzor1210]

Yes free as a bird, wrapped thoroughly in delusion.

[@Mrchickenwing74]

This dude is the reason America is so divided

[@Lerian_V]

I'm sure that's what you heard on the lamestream mefia. Go and learn real history.

[@Mrchickenwing74]

@@Lerian_V I read and learned about his actions in the early 90s in a political science course. What are you on about? Also, why bring up straw-man arguments? I didn’t mention the media.

[@edengineer48]

LIAR LIAR. YOU are an awful human being. He belongs in Jail.

[@roberthakchin8520]

TDS. Get some help.

[@zyntolaz]

You say all this with NO evidence, and have no sense of irony.

[@dene7063]

Tired of the same old Republican sanewashing of Trump, and his chronic narcissism, racism, and divisiveness.

[@jerrybuzzard8147]

I won’t listen to this man. The damage he caused to the party is immeasurable.

[@gregbors8364]

…yet the Republicans remain viable and their presidential nominee has solid chance to win again

[@roberthakchin8520]

The channels you subscribe to show your political persuasion much more than your insincere and obviously false narrative of how Newt is damaging to the Republican Party, that is unless by the party you mean the Communist Party then your statement is truthful.

[@jperin001]

Clearly important though, to help understand and counteract, the method of deceit with which has successfully altered the political landscape.

[@carrietobey6091]

This guy is the worst

[@Rubin4749]

The VERY SAME Man who tried to get PBS taking of the airwaves, and PBS gives him a platform. PBS can you spell "We are dumb-asses"??

[@thomasw.5344]

I think they're doing a great job. Every other second I want to ask N.G. "well if that's true, then why did he do this or why didn't he do that?". But I'm still glad I can listen to the other side.

[@speedwagon7562]

@@thomasw.5344I think the interviewer must have a really hard time, staying cool..

[@thomasw.5344]

@@speedwagon7562 Absolutely 😂

[@NeidlichesSchwert]

Mind of metal.

[@Rubin4749]

@@NeidlichesSchwert I don't know waht you meant friend, But I don't how people who were neaqlry destroyed bey a man, can interview the SAME man , Mr Schwart

[@nav1pi983]

The founder of divisive politics right here.

[@4greendeep6]

So, all you care about is politics?..not his central point, which is that our government should be looking out for the people... Not enriching the elite and consolidating their power to control. You're a 🤡

[@tomsparks6099]

I'm amazed this wicked man is still speaking.

[@mikederucki]

Not very well, sounds a bit short of breathe

[@rosenelzor1210]

There's a interesting picture of him 2022 in Wikipedia

[@balaclavabob001]

@@mikederucki Let's hope it's nothing trivial .

[@gracelloyd3758]

Barely lol

[@tammiepulley7167]

I don’t think Donald was captain of the cadets. I think he borrowed the captain jacket for the picture taking. Classic Donald.

[@NancyBurt-jk2ss]

I also heard that from a reliable source

[@chuckhall5347]

Sounds like Newt it applying for a job. I'm sure he would fit in well with a fascist organization.

[@brieingram3636]

You should know fascist.

[@LagoLhn]

@@brieingram3636 Fascism : a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition. Sound Trumpy enough for you?

[@catbb1000]

Aww somebody got their fee fees hurt. Boo hoo drumplikin.

[@Working4UNOW]

Kind of doubtful Trump would want Newt around.

[@Working4UNOW]

​@@brieingram3636if the shoe fits you got to wear it even if you get a blister on your foot.

[@ricksilverstein8848]

Baloney- he was flat ass broke and then got a break on the Apprentice cause other guys didn’t want the job. He’s a cheat and a liar and so is Newt.

[@Secretary.of.Education]

Couldn't think of someone with a more deserving name. Newt: A semi-aquatic salamander

[@user-hs7ry4nx7l]

Hey, that's an insult to newts.

[@HopenDoyle]

LOL

[@lazymp9046]

Newt Gingrich's opinions, on any topic, are worthless. He is as addled and as dumb as Trump. He's also a compulsive liar.

[@michaelRay2576]

AGREED ,💯💩

[@09rja]

There are a lot of ways to describe Newt.....but "dumb" isn't one of them.

[@MrPoncho1965]

Tough crowd. But you all ready to vote for Kammie I guess🙄

[@shamone711]

@@MrPoncho1965100%

[@nikita-dh5je]

@@09rjaHe’s a smart guy, but he looks and sounds awful, he’s really slowing down.

[@tammiepulley7167]

Trumps ghostwriter has come out to dispute Donald’s image as fake.

[@christinevr7698]

The decline of civil debate about policies in government across both aisles lies squarely at his door. He was the Trump trail marker for crude bullying tactics in government. Why you are giving him any more air time is an appalling lack of journalistic integrity. Shane on you PBS.

[@Working4UNOW]

The right could call PBS biased. Keep in mind this is not news but instead a perspective from a, like him or not, kind of person who helped set the crazy town stage for the Mar-A-Lago shit show.

[@mistahcoughdrop]

Should have asked Newt why he divorced his wife as she lay dying.

[@muliyechuula9098]

What????? Who does that????

[@speedwagon7562]

@@muliyechuula9098,well maybe kinda like joking publicly about Pelosi’s husband’s attack…

[@arthurswanson3285]

​@muliyechuula9098 he did. She was dying of cancer and he wanted to marry his 1st mistress.

[@mistahcoughdrop]

@@arthurswanson3285 Newt's a shit head. And some kind of devout Catholic. Want to know what a liar sounds like? Listen to this PBS interview.

[@GK-up6xz]

Oh, he’s still with us….

[@tammiepulley7167]

When Newt talks about policies trying to force us into electric cars it’s nonsense. There are incentives to help buy electric because electric cars are so expensive so let’s make them available to average people. That is not forcing them. The more I listen to this the more I disrespect Newt. Sewing seeds of division. This is demonic. Yes I used a word from “them” to describe, because it’s a fit.

[@margiehankins-jerde6094]

You are really stupid. Biden wants everyone in a electric car by 2030 banning gas cars. You don't know what your talking about. He isn't lieing all. And yes you will be forced.

[@Lerian_V]

Electric car mandate is a bad policy.

[@zyntolaz]

How are those in North Carolina devastated by the hurricane doing with their electric vehicles? EVs are NOT the panacea that some would pretend. So whyizzit that Henry Ford made his cars "available to average people" WITHOUT government subsidies?

[@DrewRobertson1]

Go push daisy's, newt.

[@jabbermocky4520]

Poison ivy. He can go push up poison ivy.

[@phunkboxx]

Trump is middle class. Wtf. Do these people hear themselves?

[@SS-lj6dr]

They hear themselves perfectly, They think we’re just that dυmb…

[@catbb1000]

It applies to where in New York he came from. You need to learn about NY culture. No one is elite unless they come from Manhattan. No matter how much money they have or make.

[@Working4UNOW]

​@@SS-lj6drI remember when they said meant the government. NOW? They is political parties.

[@gregbors8364]

@@catbb1000You’re trying to argue that someone who inherited over $400 million is “middle class” 🤦‍♂️

[@catbb1000]

@@gregbors8364 No I'm trying to explain that NYC is a different world.

[@gp1683]

If his mouth is moving Newt's lying

[@jonw5547]

Oh boy…Newt is writing fiction again.

[@mathtrixmusiclix4248]

See, the thing about about these “new” republicans, is that everything is game…a competition, where the only winner can be them. And the losers are the rest of America. 😞

[@joelhenderson4450]

Charlatan #1.

[@nelsonfrench4884]

Poor newt. He thinks he's relevant.

[@jackiebang4717]

Come on. Comparing Trump to Soltzinitzen? That’s like comparing Hitler to Mother Teresa.

[@Nevernowaynope]

Just had to stop by quick to GAG 🤢

[@KimCarney]

This liar is unwatchable

[@nelsonfrench4884]

From the get go Newt doesn't say why Manhattan didn't accept drumph.

[@julianyway]

Ugh I don't think I can watch this

[@tammiepulley7167]

Lastly, a lot of non college educated people are very smart and well read and speak proper English. It’s sad to keep hearing Newt say Trump can speak to the average person. Sadly if that is true it means the average person never or rarely reads anything. Most people who make it through 6th grade reading level have the skills to become quite informed on their own, without even a high school education. Sadly many don’t.

[@SS-lj6dr]

The only people he appeals to is a morally bankrupt simpleton…

[@richjohnson8777]

Oh ... The Contract on America guy.

[@brandondixon4292]

I can't believe Front Line allowed this. They went from non biased, to hiding bias, to completely bias. So to see them let a guy like Newt Gingrich on here talking positively about Frontline's opponents is like wow

[@gregbors8364]

Journalists aren’t supposed to have “opponents”

[@brandondixon4292]

@@gregbors8364 I know, but thats the world we live in🤷‍♂

[@gregbors8364]

@@brandondixon4292 Assuming you’re a liberal (as I consider myself to be), do you feel that “our side” has a monopoly on “truth”?

[@brandondixon4292]

@@gregbors8364 I think it is clear that the democrat party lies a lot, but they have more media attention and funding to make Trump look like more of a liar than he is, in addition to making themselves seem more truthful than they are. Essentially "well funded deceivers" fits perfectly in defining the democrats. That said Trump lost 2020. 🤷‍♂ Regardless though, politics is an elite party, and you and I are just not in it. So why not vote for the party crasher. Generally its sad that Trump crashed the political circus in 2016, and instead of the Polticians learning their lessons they just changed the act

[@rosenelzor1210]

Umm. kinda?

[@benrarick803]

I don’t like Trump but I think this is brilliantly insightful in terms of his appeal and media savvy

[@cocktail_dad85]

I can't. I tried. I really did but I can't handle this much effort being put into softening Trump and people's worship of him.

[@johnnada.]

I’d rather watch Dick Cheney praise Harris.

[@anthonytownsend366]

Agreed 👍

[@thesilkpainter]

I know, right...that was hard enough to swallow, already.

[@leonardbechler1867]

I am encouraged that he is breathing heavily. Maybe his time is short.

[@thesilkpainter]

I know. It is mean...but I had to giggle.

[@rosenelzor1210]

Born in 1944. Edit: 1943 June 17th, 1943

[@W_Bin]

If you want to clean out corruption you don't lie.

[@mikederucki]

This guy… he will go wherever and say whatever he needs to stay in front of a camera or reporters microphone.

[@secern]

"Donald Trump was middle class" What a braindead take.

[@fenreer01]

Newt still lying and making things up on the fly all these years later...

[@janettesancroft2965]

This guy is as nutty as Trump. A success?

[@rosenelzor1210]

Narc-siccess

[@8shoyle]

Sanewashing by Gingirtch.

[@Working4UNOW]

This manh? WOW! I recommend you read his opinions on food stamps and family safety nets as well as the legislation "they" passed capping welfare to families at a 2 year maximum! In the 1990s a lot of children went to sleep hungry because of him and his Republican colleagues in the house.

[@zyntolaz]

And Democrat Bill Clinton signed into law. Or do you wish to continue pretending that only one side is "bad"?

[@davidsessera1337]

Yes, and Clinton was on their side on that issue, happily signed that Welfare Reform Billl Congress presented him.

[@benjaminrobinson3104]

that thing is still alive?

[@tgzhou]

How about Jan 6?

[@enlighenme11]

~ ~ Wow. Wow. He's tough and enviable because he's a jerk and a user. Maybe that's why the upper elite didn't let him in - his personality. I do agree he can't be anyone than himself and therein is the problem.

[@michaelkalinski5061]

Newt is talking nonsense!

[@catbb1000]

Their trying to destroy him? Damn Newt sounds like you don't like accountability. HE did this to himself. No one told or asked him to be a crook. Over confidence bit him on the arse.

[@billriling2908]

"Work at the margins."

[@martink2953]

"Newt. My name is Newt. Nobody calls me Rebecca except my brother."

[@stevef9272]

Newt was for free-trade and right to work States. I wonder if he sees his role in why many Americans feel themselves left behind🤔

[@BirrellLawson-o2n]

Kreiger Island

[@Pilgrim812]

What a great shame has come to the Republican party.

[@zombiespock4512]

Grandma Newt.

[@joancooney7724]

Shame on PBS for allowing this Liar to air his opinion, he’s a disgrace to journalism

[@anshdeshwal7004]

that's why hate left ....i don't like the right either but lefties try to suppress the free speech ....you may not like someone's opinion but that doesn't mean they can't express their opinions

[@Working4UNOW]

He, Newt, is not a journalist. A journalist has a responsibility to look at both sides, truth and lies. A journalist then delivers that in an unbiased way. PBS should have left Newt out of the equation. Plus side? You got PBS recording their LIES for posterity.

[@margiehankins-jerde6094]

​@@Working4UNOWreally. Who is a journalist anymore? None of them are because they work for the government covering up the corruption. Spreading lies. All of them.

[@ChristopherDecenaZaozaoWang]

Why did you even interview this man .

[@jessetorres8738]

I once saw a KZbin video where the host explained that the stalemate & ultra partisanship we see in the Congress today really began in 1995 when Newt Gingrich became the House Speaker. Prior to 1995, we saw a lot more compromise between the parties in the Congress, especially if the President was from the opposite party as the 1 that controlled the Congress. But once Gingrich became Speaker, as he himself once admitted, his primary goal was to prevent Clinton from passing anything to hurt his chances of getting re-elected & led a bunch of (mostly non-serious) investigations into Clinton & other high ranking Democrats. Whenever the President is from 1 political party but the Congress is controlled by the other we have seen this happen with all 5 Presidents since 1995.

[@MagioneUmbria]

In all the years since he first emerged in the public eye, Gingrich has yet to offer a single sensible thought. I know haircuts that are of more social value.

[@robertrinehart9036]

So incredibly full of beans.

[@kurtbyars766]

This has to be the BEST description of Donald Trump I've ever heard !

[@ellenmyers8672]

Gingrich is as delusional as trump.

[@cynthiaschofield715]

Two peas in a pod

[@catbb1000]

Yeah he's anti establishment.😂 I want to know how much insider trading he did while in office. He's just an obstructionist.

[@ericbutler6990]

yes trump isnt an elite..... where do these people come up with this sheet

[@SS-lj6dr]

Not only are they screwing us over 24/7 they think we’re idiots, infuriating isn’t it?! 😡

[@Blonde111]

Who gives a crap what Newt thinks?

[@cameronmurie]

One of American society's most significant problems is that so many Americans sincerely believe that America has a Class System. Of course it does not, and it could never have. The belief in a fictional Class System leads to a special kind of neurosis and a paranoia which Trump seems to suffer from in extreme. It's highly amusing to watch him so desperately aspiring to join this fictional Class; and even funnier watching the ones who believe they are in it; denying him. Funnier still; the rapt and devoted attention from common folk; themselves similarly deluded, wishing and hoping for his imaginary success.

[@williammasselink]

Trump 24! (Plus 10 felony counts).

[@HopenDoyle]

Ugh! Even the PBS questioner refers to political opponents as "enemies." God save us. Also, how about some follow-up questions...

[@suesandlin-plaehn3565]

This is the worse! He is only dealing with politics not with what is best for our DEMOCRACY.

[@ponchotran9004]

Haven't going through the whole interview, but pretty sure Newt Gingrich doesn't have much to say.

[@PAULWATERLOO1815]

The mad hatter in Alice

[@isaiahrowley9830]

Obama talks like a professor... This guy is such a bootlicker. Im glad hes not in congress anymore

[@lornapedersen5869]

A crook is a crook is a crook. What about you newt?

[@simplexity4u]

Newt Gingrich is solely responsible for bringing "nastiness" to an all new low... The best joke I heard in 2017.. "Donald Trump walks into a bar... and lowers it."

[@BLW888]

What’s wrong with his breathing?

[@W_Bin]

Identify with working class?

[@ericaashforth2768]

I was really interested in listening to this interview however to call Trump metal class is ridiculous. Getting $400 million from your father driving around in limousine going to military school is not that middle class. He also doesn’t hang out with blue-collar workers. I’m an educated Republican woman who does quite a research and the fact that he doesn’t even know the relationship between him and Roy Cohn but he has written three books on him is astounding.

[@randomboris]

Gingrich is as much as a con man as Trump himself.

[@W_Bin]

Thanks to the commenters who explain this man. You can't tell from the interview. Very dangerous, PBS.

[@thesilkpainter]

Gosh. Trump can do no wrong. 😑

[@frankhardin8124]

THIS MAN ruined America

[@cepamor]

The aptly named Newt, speaks. That's what a TRUMP apologist looks and sounds like when they don't have a leg to stand on. 😮

[@ArtClubSuperstar]

This is Newt Gingrich, after all.

[@MarkNasuti]

Yeah but what are moral compass I mean his wife is dying of cancer and he divorces her exactly what Jesus would do

[@yvonnefarrell1029]

Prayerful apologies but I don't need another peep out of this man.

[@midcenturygail]

A great deal of projection, here- just like Trump.

[@ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣΤΣΑΝΤΑΚΗΣ]

he doesnt believe what he is saying lol , his eyes movements , his body language loooooooooooool ,,,,,,

[@zombiespock4512]

One minute thirty seconds in, I'm out. Newt is a B.

[@alh7782]

Thanks for reminding everyone what a terrible, self- serving, purveyor of propaganda and absolute nonsense this man is. Just as loathsome as the "Orange Jesus."

[@TheBenolan]

Omg, you couldn't find anyone relevant?

[@stormriderkaos]

Trump's perseverance IS remarkable. It's rooted in a serious and intractable personality disorder.

[@letstalkaboutit7734]

What’s bizarre about this interview is he keeps giving examples of Trump taking leadership over problems and every example is where he’s using city money to build something with his name on it and makes money from it. Leadership in these guys ideology is using taxpayer funded projects to create personal wealth.

[@richardgordon]

After 1:45 in I lost interest in what Newt Gingrich has to say. He is, probably the most dishonest politician except for Donald Trump. Nothing he says has any value. Why waste my time?

[@guyapple1727]

Flush twice...what a tool.

[@Noms_Chompsky]

Yeah, the guy who abandoned his wife when she got cancer and remarried; his perspective and judgement is something I'm going to credit as valuable

[@edwardlulofs444]

I could only last 1:16 watching the sold waste and vomit coming from him.

[@karamort182]

Very biased shame on pbs

[@ahwien]

Mr. Gingrich is very knowledgeable, many years at the very pulse of Washington. He shares important insights.