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The California governor, a leading Democratic figure, has revealed that he plans to make a decision about whether to seek the White House in 2028 after the 2026 elections are over.

"Absolutely, it would be dishonest if I said no," Newsom remarked when questioned about seriously considering a White House bid following the 2026 ballots. "I'd just be lying. And I won't do that."

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 determination is not imminent.

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

Increased Visibility as a Trump Critic

Newsom has come to the forefront as a notable adversary of the current federal leadership, using his digital presence and pushing a ballot measure that would increase the party's House seats in response to redistricting by Republicans. This action has drawn criticism from adversaries.

Federal Funding Dispute

Donald Trump's secretary of transportation, Sean Duffy, alleged that the governor is indifferent about Californians in a recent interview on Fox News. Duffy revealed intentions to pull taxpayer dollars from California and suggested eliminating the state's ability to provide trucking licenses.

"I intend to cut $160 million from California," he stated, following a this week's fatal crash in the state involving an non-citizen semi truck driver that resulted in three deaths and injured individuals.

The governor's team noted that the U.S. government had reauthorized the individual's authorization repeatedly, which allowed him to receive a CDL under national regulations.

Duffy had previously stated he was holding back $40 million from the state for not enforcing language proficiency rules for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Administration

"One-time television figure, now transportation chief, fails to grasp U.S. regulations," Newsom's office responded in a recent statement addressing the secretary's comments. "In the meantime, as opposed to this individual, we focus on reality: The state's CDL holders had a death rate significantly lower than the U.S. average. Texas – the sole state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate almost 50% higher than the state. Facts don't lie. The Trump administration does."

Public Opinion and Political Future

A this month's poll showed that 72% of Democrats and almost half of voters said that Newsom must consider running for president in 2028. In recent years, Newsom's favorability has risen to an average of 33.5% from around 30%, while his negative ratings has decreased from an average of previous highs to current figures.

Earlier this year, Newsom remarked while traveling several swing states that he had "uncertainty" about his future for the next presidential election.

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

"The thought that a guy who scored 960 on the SAT, who has ongoing difficulties with text, who was typically not at the front – the idea that you would even throw that out is, in and of itself, amazing," he commented. "No one can say? I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in the next election and who answers the call. And that is the issue for the voters."