A new poll from Noble Predictive Insights predicts California Governor Gavin Newsom is trailing former Vice President Kamala Harris in a possible 2028 Democratic presidential nomination race. According to the survey, Harris garnered 33% support among Democrats and 27% among independents, compared to Newsom’s 13% and 3%, respectively.
Some have noted that this data would challenge Newsom’s presumed status as the presumptive candidate in 2028, especially after a separate August poll showed him leading Harris 25% to 19%. Other candidates, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (8%) and Pete Buttigieg (7%), were even further behind the curve.
Many critics have pointed to Newsom’s aggressive social media campaign, labeling Trump and Republicans as “fascists,” including calling Stephen Miller a “fascist” and “SS” shortly after Charlie Kirk was tragically slain as part of the issue.
This last comment alienated some potential voters as Miller is Jewish. Some have wondered if this signals a broader erosion of Newsom’s standing among Democrats and independents as he navigates towards a possible bid for the Oval Office.
This is far from the first blow to Newsom’s chances in recent months. As the American Tribune reported, Newsome was hilariously trolled by the DHS in a comedic interaction on X, kicking off a flurry of social media replies. Newsom said, “Today, Californians joined millions nationwide to say loud and clear: NO to authoritarianism. NO to assaulting our democracy. NO to censorship and fear. NO to hate and division. NO to corruption and cruelty. NO to kings. YES to a government by and for the people.”
Still not done, the same account added, “Civil rights and freedom. Pluralism and nonviolent protest. The values Americans cherish are under assault by @realDonaldTrump. THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and California will keep peacefully pushing back against the Trump Administration’s authoritarian takeover.”
Firing back, the DHS joked, “Breaking: Gavin Newsom has shown up to the riot!” This prompted a bitter reaction from Newsom. “You’re an embarrassment,” the triggered Democratic governor responded, much to the joy of online conservatives.
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Reacting to Newsom’s dismal poll performance, Trump took to social media to blast Newsom. He posted, “Gavin Newscum is way down in the polls. He is viewed as the man who is destroying the once Great State of California. I will save California!!! President DJT”
Additionally, Trump has often used Newsom as a negative example in his posts. Making fun of Maryland GOvenor Wes Moore, he noted, ” Wes Moore’s record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other “Blue States” are doing. But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the “troops,” which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime.”
Making similar comments, he noted, “Wow! Mayor Muriel Bowser of D.C. has become very popular because she worked with me and my great people in bringing CRIME down to virtually NOTHING in D.C. Her statements and actions were positive, instead of others like Pritzker, Wes Moore, Newscum, and the 5% approval rated Mayor of Chicago, who spend all of their time trying to justify violent Crime, instead of working with us to completely ELIMINATE it, which we have done in Washington, D.C., NOW A CRIME FREE ZONE. Wouldn’t it be nice to say that about Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and even the Crime Drenched City of Baltimore???”