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The California governor, a well-known member of the Democratic party, has indicated that he plans to determine whether to launch a presidential campaign in 2028 after the 2026 midterm elections are over.

"Yes, I couldn't be truthful if I said no," Newsom remarked when pressed about contemplating a White House bid post the 2026 midterms. "I'd just be lying. And I'm not."

The governor's current term as California's leader wraps up in the start of 2027, and term limits prevent another run. Yet, he cautioned that any decision is still years away.

"Fate will determine that," he added.

Rising Profile as a Political Adversary

Newsom has stepped forward as a prominent opponent of the Trump administration, employing his online platforms and advocating for a ballot measure that would boost Democratic congressional seats in response to Republican redistricting efforts. This strategy has made him a target from critics.

Federal Funding Dispute

The former president's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, alleged that Newsom does not care about Californians in a Sunday segment on Fox News. Duffy announced a strategy to withhold federal funds from the state and warned eliminating the state's ability to provide commercial driver's licenses.

"I'm about to pull $160 million from the state," Duffy declared, in the wake of a recent fatal crash in California involving an unauthorized commercial driver that caused loss of life and four injuries.

Newsom's office noted that the federal government had approved the individual's authorization repeatedly, which permitted him to obtain a CDL under U.S. law.

Duffy had earlier indicated he was blocking $40 million from California for failing to implement English language requirements for commercial drivers.

Strong Response from the Administration

"One-time television figure, now Secretary of Transportation, still doesn't understand national statutes," the governor's team retorted in a last month's statement countering the secretary's comments. "Meanwhile, in contrast to this person, we rely on data: The state's truck drivers had a death rate nearly 40% lower than the countrywide rate. Texas – the single state with additional licensed drivers – has a rate substantially higher than California. Statistics are clear. The Trump administration does."

Voter Sentiment and Political Future

A recent poll found that 72% of Democrats and a significant portion of the electorate indicated that the governor should run for president in 2028. Since Trump took office, his approval ratings has grown to an average of about one-third from around 30%, while his unfavorability has fallen from an typical level of over 40% to under 40%.

In previous months, the governor remarked while traveling several key regions that he had "no clue" about his plans for 2028.

He noted his earlier challenges, including being found to have a learning disability at the early childhood.

"The idea that a individual who scored 960 on the SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was always in the back of the classroom – the fact that this is even suggested is, by itself, remarkable," he commented. "No one can say? I await who emerges in 2028 and who answers the call. And that remains the key point for the American people."