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The California governor, a leading Democratic figure, has disclosed that he plans to decide on whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 following the 2026 elections wrap up.

"Absolutely, it would be dishonest otherwise," the governor stated when pressed about seriously considering a campaign for president post the 2026 ballots. "I'd just be lying. And I won't do that."

Newsom's current term as governor ends in January 2027, and he cannot run again. But, he cautioned that any determination is not imminent.

"The future will decide," he remarked.

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

Newsom has emerged as a high-profile adversary of the Trump administration, using his online platforms and pushing a ballot measure that would boost Democratic House seats in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This strategy has drawn criticism from adversaries.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor is indifferent about Californians in a weekend segment on Fox News. The secretary revealed a strategy to cut federal funds from California and warned revoking the power to provide commercial driver's licenses.

"I plan to withdraw $160m from the state," Duffy stated, following a recent tragic collision in the state involving an unauthorized trucker that led to three deaths and casualties.

His administration highlighted that the federal government had renewed the driver's employment on several occasions, which allowed him to receive a CDL under federal law.

The transportation secretary had before indicated he was blocking $40 million from the state for ignoring linguistic standards for CDL holders.

Pointed Reply from the Team

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand U.S. regulations," his administration responded in a recent comment countering the funding warnings. "In the meantime, in contrast to this person, we focus on reality: California commercial driver's license holders had a fatal crash rate significantly lower than the national average. Texas – the single state with more commercial holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Statistics are clear. This administration is dishonest."

Public Opinion and Future Prospects

A recently conducted poll showed that 72% of Democrats and a significant portion of the electorate believed that Newsom should run for president in 2028. After the current administration began, his approval ratings has increased to an average of a third from around 30%, while his unfavorability has decreased from an average of over 40% to under 40%.

Some time ago, Newsom remarked while traveling several key regions that he had "uncertainty" about his future for the next presidential election.

He mentioned his earlier challenges, including being identified as dyslexic at the young age of five.

"The idea that a person who got 960 on his SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was often seated at the back – the fact that this is even suggested is, by itself, remarkable," he said. "Who the hell knows? I await who steps forward in the next election and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the U.S. citizens."