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The California governor, a well-known member of the Democratic party, has disclosed that he plans to make a decision about whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 once the 2026 elections conclude.

"Yeah, it would be dishonest if I denied it," Newsom stated when asked about seriously considering a White House bid post the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I won't do that."

Newsom's time in office as governor ends in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. However, he emphasized that any determination is a long way off.

"Fate will determine that," he remarked.

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

Newsom has stepped forward as a high-profile critic of the current federal leadership, using his digital presence and championing a proposition that would increase Democratic representation in Congress in following GOP gerrymandering. This move has drawn criticism from political opponents.

Clash on Transportation

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor shows no concern about the state's residents in a weekend interview on Fox News. The secretary announced plans to cut taxpayer dollars from California and warned eliminating the power to provide trucking licenses.

"I plan to withdraw a significant sum from California," Duffy stated, after a recent deadly accident in the state involving an unauthorized semi truck driver that caused loss of life and injured individuals.

His administration noted that the federal government had renewed the driver's employment on several occasions, which enabled him to receive a CDL under national regulations.

Duffy had before stated he was withholding $40 million from the state for ignoring English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Firm Rebuttal from the Administration

"Ex-reality TV personality, now cabinet member, fails to grasp U.S. regulations," his administration responded in a recent release addressing the secretary's comments. "Meanwhile, unlike this clown, we'll stick to the facts: The state's truck drivers had a accident mortality rate much lower than the countrywide rate. The state of Texas – the only state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate markedly elevated than the state. Data speaks for itself. The Trump administration does."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A recent study found that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters said that the governor must consider running for president in 2028. Since Trump took office, his approval ratings has increased to an typical level of 33.5% from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has dropped from an mean of over 40% to 38.4%.

Some time ago, the governor commented while on a trip several key regions that he had "no clue" about his future for 2028.

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

"The idea that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, who still struggles to read scripts, who was always in the back of the classroom – that such a possibility is discussed is, in and of itself, extraordinary," he said. "Who the hell knows? I await who steps forward in the next election and who answers the call. And that remains the key point for the U.S. citizens."