Newsom tries to use right-wing influencers to fix his image. Don't fall for it. | Opinion
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is looking to expand his appeal to the swing voters who have coalesced behind Trump, but Americans would be wise to be wary of men who change their minds on a dime.
In a column several weeks ago, I argued that Democrats would be wise to not sit idly by as President Donald Trump destroys Republicans’ reelection chances. Some are listening, and to little surprise, California Gov. Gavin Newsom seems to be at the forefront of Democrats looking to rebrand for his own personal gain.
Newsom is a strong indicator for the direction Democrats will likely take going into the next presidential cycle, but Americans should not mistake his words for a genuine change of heart.
Democrats have found themselves faced with a massive branding problem, and many prominent Democrats will look to capitalize on it. Newsom is looking to expand his appeal to the swing voters who have coalesced behind Trump, but Americans would be wise to be wary of men who change their minds on a dime like Newsom.
Gavin Newsom is shifting his politics, likely eyeing 2028 presidential run
Not only has Newsom launched his very own podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom" – a unique choice for a sitting governor – he's ventured out to host voices that generally would be unexpected.
Newsom’s inaugural episode hosted right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, and last week he released another one with Trump adviser Steven Bannon.
By having guests who are diametrically opposed to Newsom on his show, he has the opportunity to pitch himself to Democrats against these far-right figures, while also taking issues that the right is winning on and framing them in a new way to appeal to moderates.
However, it's not just the audiences the governor is looking to find middle ground with that is interesting. Newsom made headlines this month following his Kirk podcast, for conceding that there is an “issue of fairness” with biological males competing in women's sports, something that has been taboo for Democrats in recent years.
Public opinion is with him, with 66% of Americans approving of policies requiring athletes to compete with their biological sex, and only 15% opposing such policies.
While Newsom didn’t go so far as to endorse restrictions, his stance now is far more in line with America on the issue than Democrats have been in recent years, especially given that nearly a quarter of people are undecided on this specific issue.
This is one of the many slam dunk culture war issues that Trump and Republicans campaigned on in the 2024 election. Although the issue itself is a relatively minor one compared with the economy, Democrats couldn’t hurt themselves by approaching these friction points.
Newsom is term-limited as California governor come 2026, meaning that in all likelihood he will look to ascend to a more prominent office. Democrats have a void at the top of their presidential ticket, and he no doubt will be one of the people to throw their hat in the ring.
Gov. Newsom enjoys 52% approval in the liberal state of California, but he has work to do on his national image, with just 27% of Americans having a favorable view of him.
The timing of Newsom’s supposed mellowing out on certain culture war issues is convenient to say the least. Just as I said of Trump’s convenient changes of heart on certain issues, we should not be quick to believe in familiar faces saying new things.
Is this Gavin Newsom? Americans shouldn't trust California governor.
It makes sense that Newsom would be first to attempt to paint a fresh image of Democrats, particularly himself. He is the perfect directional indicator for the left of American politics because he is a politician in the most literal sense of the word.
Newsom has few beliefs he holds consistently, choosing instead to drift where the political winds blow him.
Americans must not forget his authoritarian tendencies and mismanagement in California, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the California wildfires.
While he now is treating his notorious “French Laundry” dinner as a “bonehead move,” it really does tell a lot about who Newsom is. He views himself as a part of the political class, the class that the rules don’t apply to.
Newsom’s public record will likely pose problems for him, in the same ways that Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ posed problems for her on the campaign trail in 2024. It will take more than flirting with shifts in culture war issues to save his national image.
While Newsom is now the key figure pushing for a rebrand, other Democrats are interested in the presidential race. Ones without as much public record in the spotlight, such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, are likely to have more success than Newsom.
As much as he’d like to insist that he is looking to find consensus, Newsom is trying to find votes and support. Most of all, he's trying to find power, and Americans should be nervous about men trying to change their image in the face of a campaign.
Dace Potas is an opinion columnist for Paste BN and a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in political science.