Gavin Newsom's Presidential Ambitions Face Intense Scrutiny Over Record of Failed Promises
Politicians often change their positions, but it takes remarkable audacity for California's governor to label other leaders as pathetic while his own tenure is marred by unfulfilled commitments. Gavin Newsom's probable presidential bid for 2028 is increasingly viewed as built on a foundation of shattered pledges and strategic dishonesty, as he attempts to mimic former President Donald Trump's brash style to gain traction.
A Slogan of Strength Masking Weakness
In a recent interview, Newsom asserted that Americans prefer leaders who are strong and wrong over those who are weak and right, a philosophy he has adopted to justify his crude social media insults and theatrical antics. This approach has garnered media attention and boosted his poll numbers, positioning him as a Democratic frontrunner. However, as his term limits approach, his presidential aspirations are bringing his eight-year governorship under the microscope, revealing a buffet of failed hopes.
Broken Pledges on Healthcare and Housing
During his 2018 campaign, Newsom ran as an unabashed progressive, promising courage for a change and vowing to create a single-payer healthcare system in California. After taking office, he abandoned this signature pledge, opting for lesser reforms that left union organizers calling it a flip-flop. Similarly, in 2019, he promised to build 3.5 million new housing units by 2025, only to later dismiss it as a mere stretch goal, with reports indicating just 13% of those homes have been permitted.
Leadership Failures on Homelessness and Budgets
Newsom also pledged to appoint a homeless czar to address California's surging homelessness crisis, but that promise fell through. He eventually declared himself the czar, then shifted blame to local officials as numbers spiked. Despite inheriting multibillion-dollar surpluses from his predecessor, his tenure is expected to leave the state with looming deficits, according to the California legislative analyst's office.
Selective Courage and Hypocritical Stances
Newsom's leadership has been marked by wishy-washy decisions. He declared a moratorium on the death penalty but stopped short of commuting sentences, allowing future governors to resume executions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he initially drew praise for decisive action but caved to pressure from figures like Elon Musk, leading to a rushed reopening and a surge in infections. After embracing reparations for slavery descendants, he vetoed key bills in 2025 when racial justice fell out of political favor.
Mimicking Trump While Kowtowing to Interests
Newsom has criticized world leaders for their responses to Trump, yet he himself praised Trump's botched pandemic response in 2020 to secure federal aid, a move described as Governor Knee Pads puckering up. His alignment with tech oligarchs, such as vetoing an AI safety bill and opposing a billionaire tax alongside Trump backer Peter Thiel, highlights hypocrisy. Labor leaders have warned that siding with big tech billionaires over workers could complicate his presidential run.
Theatrics Over Substance in Leadership
Like Trump, Newsom breaks promises, serves billionaire interests, and mistakes social media theatrics for genuine leadership. His strategy of hosting rightwing figures and berating others masks a lack of authentic, moral vision. Historically, after presidents like Nixon, Bush, and Trump, Americans have sought change with competent leaders, raising doubts about Newsom's suitability. He is not strong and wrong but highly ambitious, strategically dishonest, and blatantly opportunistic, leaving voters to question what he truly offers for 2028.
