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The California governor, a prominent member of the Democratic party, has indicated that he intends to decide on whether to run for president in 2028 following the 2026 elections are over.

"Yeah, I would be lying otherwise," Newsom remarked when asked about seriously considering a presidential run post the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

Newsom's current term as California's leader concludes in the start of 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. However, he noted that any choice is still years away.

"The future will decide," he added.

Growing Prominence as a Trump Critic

Newsom has come to the forefront as a notable adversary of the former president's team, employing his online platforms and advocating for a initiative that would expand Democratic representation in Congress in as a counter to redistricting by Republicans. This move has drawn criticism from political opponents.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor does not care about the state's residents in a Sunday segment on Fox News. The secretary disclosed a strategy to cut government money from California and warned eliminating the authority to provide trucking licenses.

"I plan to withdraw a significant sum from the state," he declared, after a recently reported fatal crash in the state involving an unauthorized trucker that resulted in loss of life and injured individuals.

His administration highlighted that the federal government had approved the worker's status on several occasions, which enabled him to secure a CDL under national regulations.

Duffy had previously indicated he was blocking additional funds from the state for not enforcing English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Strong Response from the Administration

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, fails to grasp U.S. regulations," the governor's team said in a previous statement addressing Duffy's threats. "For now, unlike this clown, we'll stick to the facts: California CDL holders had a accident mortality rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the sole state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than California. Facts don't lie. The Trump administration does."

Public Opinion and Campaign Considerations

A recently conducted poll found that 72% of Democrats and 48% of all registered voters said that Newsom must consider running for president in the next election cycle. After the current administration began, his approval ratings has increased to an average of a third from previous levels, while his disapproval has dropped from an average of more than 40% to 38.4%.

Earlier this year, Newsom remarked while traveling several swing states that he had "no clue" about his future for 2028.

He mentioned his personal struggles, including being found to have a learning disability at the young age of five.

"The notion that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, who still struggles to read scripts, who was often seated at the back – that such a possibility is discussed is, alone, remarkable," he stated. "It's anyone's guess? I am eager to see who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that remains the key point for the American people."