Kathrine Frich
Newsom has built a profile as one of the most outspoken critics of the Trump administration.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has suggested he will weigh a White House bid after the 2026 midterm elections, in remarks that have revived speculation about his future on the national stage.
Thinking ahead
Speaking on CBS News’s Sunday Morning, Newsom said he intends to make a decision on a possible 2028 campaign only after his current term ends in January 2027.
When asked directly whether he would consider running, he replied, “Yes, otherwise I would be lying. I would be lying. And I won’t do it, I can’t do that.”
His comments, reported by The Guardian, mark the clearest sign yet that the Democratic governor is open to pursuing higher office once his tenure in Sacramento concludes. “Fate will decide that,” he added.
Political backdrop
Newsom, who cannot seek re-election due to term limits, has built a national profile as one of the most outspoken Democratic critics of the Trump administration.
He has repeatedly clashed with federal officials over policy, especially on immigration and infrastructure.
The latest dispute came after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, a member of Donald Trump’s cabinet, accused Newsom of neglecting California’s citizens and threatened to cut off federal funding to the state.
Duffy told Fox News he planned to withdraw $160 million in funds following a fatal accident caused by an undocumented truck driver.
War of words
In response, Newsom’s office issued a sharp statement noting that the driver’s employment had been repeatedly approved under federal law.
“The former low-level reality TV star, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn’t understand federal law,” the statement read.
It added that California’s commercial drivers have a fatal crash rate nearly 40 percent lower than the national average, while Texas, the only state with more commercial licenses, has a rate nearly 50 percent higher.
“The facts don’t lie. The Trump administration does,” the statement concluded.
Duffy previously withheld $40 million in funding, citing California’s alleged failure to enforce English language rules for truck drivers.
Eyeing 2028
A CBS poll earlier this month found that 72 percent of Democrats and nearly half of all registered voters believe Newsom should run for president in 2028.
Decision Desk HQ data shows his approval rating has risen slightly since Trump returned to office, while his disapproval has fallen.
Newsom’s comments come shortly after former Vice President Kamala Harris also signaled she may seek the presidency again, setting the stage for a potentially competitive Democratic race in 2028.
Sources: CBS News, The Guardian, Fox News, Digi24
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
