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The California governor, a leading member of the Democratic party, has revealed that he will make a decision about whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 following the 2026 elections are over.

"Yeah, I couldn't be truthful if I denied it," Newsom commented when questioned about contemplating a presidential run after the 2026 elections. "That wouldn't be honest. And I'm not."

Newsom's current term as governor ends in the start of 2027, and he cannot run again. But, he cautioned that any determination is still years away.

"It's up to destiny," he added.

Rising Profile as a Political Adversary

Newsom has stepped forward as a notable critic of the former president's team, using his online platforms and championing a initiative that would increase Democratic representation in Congress in following Republican redistricting efforts. This move has made him a target from critics.

Controversy Over Funds

The former president's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, accused that Newsom does not care about Californians in a weekend segment on Fox News. The secretary disclosed a strategy to pull federal funds from the state and suggested revoking the power to grant CDLs.

"I intend to cut $160 million from California," he said, after a recent deadly accident in California involving an undocumented trucker that led to fatalities and four injuries.

His administration highlighted that the U.S. government had reauthorized the driver's employment multiple times, which permitted him to receive a commercial driver's license under U.S. law.

The transportation secretary had before stated he was withholding $40m from the state for failing to implement linguistic standards for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Governor's Office

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand national statutes," Newsom's office responded in a recent comment addressing Duffy's threats. "For now, unlike this clown, we focus on reality: The state's commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate much lower than the national average. Texas – the only state with more commercial holders – has a rate substantially higher than California. Data speaks for itself. The Trump administration does."

Public Opinion and Campaign Considerations

A recently conducted poll showed that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and 48% of all registered voters indicated that Newsom ought to campaign for president in 2028. In recent years, Newsom's favorability has grown to an typical level of about one-third from previous levels, while his disapproval has decreased from an average of more than 40% to 38.4%.

Earlier this year, Newsom commented while traveling several swing states that he had "no idea" about his plans for 2028.

He mentioned his earlier challenges, including being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of five.

"The thought that a individual who scored 960 on the SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was always in the back of the classroom – the fact that this is even suggested is, alone, amazing," he said. "No one can say? I await who emerges in 2028 and who rises to the occasion. And that's the question for the voters."