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The California governor, a prominent Democratic figure, has revealed that he plans to determine whether to seek the White House in 2028 following the 2026 elections wrap up.

"Yeah, I would be lying if I said no," the governor commented when pressed about contemplating a White House bid following the 2026 midterms. "It wouldn't be the truth. And I can't do that."

The governor's tenure as California's leader ends in January 2027, and he is ineligible for re-election. But, he cautioned that any choice is a long way off.

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

Growing Prominence as a Political Adversary

Newsom has stepped forward as a prominent critic of the former president's team, employing his social media accounts and championing a proposition that would boost Democratic representation in Congress in following redistricting by Republicans. This action has made him a target from political opponents.

Controversy Over Funds

Donald Trump's transportation chief, Sean Duffy, claimed that the governor does not care about Californians in a Sunday appearance on Fox News. The secretary revealed plans to cut taxpayer dollars from California and warned suspending the power to provide trucking licenses.

"I'm about to pull a significant sum from California," Duffy said, following a recently reported tragic collision in the state involving an undocumented commercial driver that led to three deaths and injured individuals.

Newsom's office noted that the national authorities had approved the worker's status multiple times, which allowed him to receive a commercial driver's license under federal law.

Duffy had earlier announced he was withholding $40 million from the state for failing to implement language proficiency rules for CDL holders.

Strong Response from the Team

"Ex-reality TV personality, now cabinet member, still doesn't understand federal law," the governor's team retorted in a recent release countering the funding warnings. "For now, as opposed to this individual, we'll stick to the facts: California commercial driver's license holders had a accident mortality rate significantly lower than the national average. The state of Texas – the only state with a larger number of CDL holders – has a rate substantially higher than the state. Data speaks for itself. The federal leadership misleads."

Public Opinion and Future Prospects

A recent poll found that nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters and almost half of voters indicated that Newsom should run for the White House in 2028. Since Trump took office, his approval ratings has increased to an typical level of a third from approximately 30%, while his unfavorability has dropped from an mean of over 40% to current figures.

Earlier this year, the governor stated while traveling several key regions that he had "no idea" about his plans for 2028.

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

"The idea that a individual who scored 960 on the SAT, who continues to find reading challenging, who was typically not at the front – the fact that this is even suggested is, by itself, remarkable," he said. "It's anyone's guess? I am eager to see who presents themselves in the next election and who rises to the occasion. And that remains the key point for the voters."