Gavin Newsom didn’t dodge the query about his presidential future and as a substitute leaned into the hypothesis throughout a nationwide interview, saying he’d be “lying” if he claimed he wasn’t eager about a 2028 White House bid.

The California governor made the feedback throughout a phase on CBS Sunday Morning, the place he confirmed that he plans to judge a possible marketing campaign after the 2026 midterm elections.

When requested immediately if he was critically contemplating a run, Newsom responded with out hesitation.

“Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,” he mentioned. “I’d just be lying. And I’m not – I can’t do that.”

Newsom, 58, is nearing the top of his second time period in Sacramento, which concludes in January 2027 as a result of time period limits.

Over the previous a number of years, he’s constructed a nationwide profile by positioning himself as a vocal opponent of former President Donald Trump and his insurance policies, typically utilizing social media and state laws to attract a pointy distinction.

That combative stance has made him a goal for Republicans, together with Trump’s former Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who lately threatened to yank $160 million in federal funds from California over the state’s trucking laws. Duffy blamed Newsom for a lethal crash involving an undocumented truck driver.

Newsom’s workplace fired back, referencing the motive force’s federally accepted work standing and taking a jab at Duffy’s actuality TV previous.

“Former D-list reality star, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn’t understand federal law,” the assertion learn. “In the meantime, unlike this clown, we’ll stick to the facts: California commercial driver’s license holders had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% LOWER than the national average.”

Despite the political back-and-forth, Newsom’s nationwide standing seems to be gaining traction.

A current CBS News ballot confirmed 72% of Democrats and 48% of all registered voters help the thought of him operating for president in 2028.

A big % of Californians in his personal Democratic Party say Gov. Newsom ought to run for president in ’28, however among the many state’s voters total, that view is extra cut up.

By comparability, extra California Dems say Newsom ought to run than say that of former VP Kamala Harris.… pic.twitter.com/oXG2fHWjbn

— CBS News Poll (@CBSNewsPoll) October 23, 2025

During the interview, Newsom additionally mirrored on his private journey and the obstacles he’s confronted, together with dyslexia and tutorial struggles.

“The idea that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, that still struggles to read scripts, that was always in the back of the classroom, the idea that you would even throw that out is, in and of itself, extraordinary,” he mentioned. “Who the hell knows? I’m looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s open to a presidential run.

The Democrat and frequent Trump critic mentioned he’ll give critical thought to a White House bid after subsequent yr’s midterms. “I’d be lying otherwise,” Newsom mentioned, including that “fate will determine” his choice and a… pic.twitter.com/uD8OqNrnHE

— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) October 26, 2025

Newsom has additionally been pushing Proposition 50, a poll measure aimed toward increasing Democratic illustration in Congress as a counter to Republican-led redistricting in different states. The initiative is a part of his broader technique to affect nationwide politics from California.

While he emphasised that his choice continues to be years away, Newsom acknowledged that the door is large open.

“Fate will determine that,” he mentioned.

Related