California Governor Gavin Newsom told CBS News Sunday Morning that he’s considering a White House run after the 2026 midterm elections.
When asked if he would give “serious thought” to a run for the Oval Office, Newsom said, “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying. And I’m not—I can’t do that.”
The Democrat has been a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump, criticizing many of the administration’s policies, including the deployment of federal forces in various cities across the country to combat crime. The governor has also repeatedly gone viral on social media with his taunts of the president.
This marks a notable shift in Newsom’s public posture, following years of consistently denying presidential ambitions.
Why It Matters
Newsom’s latest comment marks a notable shift in his public posture, following years of consistently denying presidential ambitions.
With the Democratic Party seeking strong contenders for the 2028 presidential election, Newsom’s potential candidacy could influence the Democratic primary landscape, policy debates, and the broader national conversation on leadership and governance.
Newsom will step down as governor of California in January 2027, after serving the constitutionally mandated maximum of two terms.
What To Know
During a CBS News Sunday Morning interview that was recorded in San Jose, California, on Thursday, Newsom was directly asked if he would consider a run for the White House after California’s 2026 midterm elections.
Newsom responded: “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying. And I’m not—I can’t do that.” He emphasized that any decision was years away, adding, “Fate will determine that.”
Newsom, 58, said facing challenges throughout his life, like having dyslexia, is a reminder to him that lives can go in surprising directions.
“I have no idea,” the governor said about whether he’ll ultimately decide to run for president. “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. Who the hell knows? I’m looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that’s the question for the American people.”
Newsom has increased his national profile by traveling to battleground states, such as his trip to South Carolina in July—likely to be a key Democratic primary state in 2028. On that trip, he met with Democratic leaders and grassroots activists, fueling speculation about higher political ambitions.
