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Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democratic figure, has indicated that he will make a decision about whether to seek the White House in 2028 following the 2026 congressional elections wrap up.

"Yeah, it would be dishonest if I said no," the governor remarked when questioned about giving serious thought to a campaign for president following the 2026 elections. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

Newsom's current term as California's leader wraps up in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. However, he noted that any determination is a long way off.

"Fate will determine that," he added.

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

The California governor has emerged as a high-profile opponent of the former president's team, using his digital presence and championing a initiative that would expand Democratic representation in Congress in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This move has invited attacks from political opponents.

Federal Funding Dispute

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor shows no concern about Californians in a weekend segment on Fox News. Duffy revealed a strategy to pull federal funds from the state and threatened suspending the authority to grant CDLs.

"I plan to withdraw $160m from California," Duffy stated, after a recently reported tragic collision in the state involving an undocumented trucker that led to three deaths and casualties.

Newsom's office noted that the national authorities had renewed the worker's status on several occasions, which enabled him to secure a commercial driver's license under federal law.

Duffy had earlier announced he was blocking $40m from California for ignoring English language requirements for truck drivers.

Strong Response from the Team

"Former D-list reality star, now transportation chief, fails to grasp federal law," the governor's team retorted in a previous comment countering Duffy's threats. "In the meantime, unlike this clown, we rely on data: California commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate much lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the only state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Facts don't lie. This administration is dishonest."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A recently conducted poll revealed that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters believed that Newsom must consider running for president in 2028. Since Trump took office, Newsom's favorability has increased to an average of a third from around 30%, while his negative ratings has dropped from an mean of over 40% to 38.4%.

Earlier this year, the governor commented while on a trip several battleground states that he had "no clue" about his intentions for the next presidential election.

He also referenced his past difficulties, including being found to have a learning disability at the young age of five.

"The notion that a person who had modest test scores, who still struggles to read scripts, who was typically not at the front – the fact that this is even suggested is, in and of itself, extraordinary," he commented. "Who the hell knows? I await who emerges in 2028 and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the U.S. citizens."