What is Newsom really trying to do?
California Governor Gavin Newsom — a rising star in the Democrat Party and a rumored 2028 presidential hopeful — just launched a so-called “fact-checking” website aimed at targeting conservative media and defending his liberal policies. But critics say the move reeks of political ambition, not public service.
The site, pushed by Newsom’s campaign machine, is designed to counter what he calls “conservative misinformation” about California and President Donald Trump. But the timing couldn’t be worse for Newsom — a new poll reveals a majority of the state’s voters think he is more focused on running for president than fixing California’s deepening crisis.
According to a survey from UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies, 54% of registered voters in California think Newsom is prioritizing his own political future over solving problems like crime, homelessness, and inflation. Just 26% believe he’s focused on governing.
This sharp disconnect comes as California battles skyrocketing crime, unaffordable housing, illegal immigration, and a mass exodus of middle-class families. Yet Newsom’s website brags about California being the “fourth-largest economy” while ignoring the everyday struggles facing retirees, small business owners, and working families.
Newsom’s campaign put it bluntly in a press release: “We’re done letting MAGA trolls define the Golden State.” This partisan attack confirms what many conservatives have long suspected — Newsom is more interested in political theater than leadership.
The website attempts to “correct” criticism of his record on key issues like energy, crime, and immigration — but voters aren’t buying it. Especially after headlines about California’s ongoing homelessness emergency, the recent bill proposing students sleep in their cars, and the rising cost of living under Democrat rule.
While pretending to be a unifier, Newsom continues to take aim at President Trump’s policies — even after Trump’s leadership in his second term has begun restoring economic stability, strengthening U.S. borders, and reining in reckless government spending.
Newsom has also taken his political show on the road, launching a podcast to boost his national profile. Featuring guests like Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk, Newsom claims he’s open to debate — but critics say it’s just another PR stunt to look “moderate” while pushing a far-left agenda.
The recent election showed a clear rejection of Democrat policies, with Republicans regaining control of the Senate, expanding their House majority, and returning President Trump to the Oval Office. But instead of adjusting, Newsom doubles down on progressive policies and taxpayer-funded distractions.
Back home, Newsom’s approval is shaky. 46% of voters disapprove of his leadership, and nearly half lack confidence in his ability to stand up for California’s interests in the Trump era, according to the poll.
Still, Newsom’s office claims he’s “focused on his job” — taking Trump to court over tariffs, managing wildfire response, and confronting the housing meltdown. But many voters — especially those over 50 who’ve watched California decline for decades — aren’t convinced.
As Newsom gears up for a potential 2028 run, one question remains: Is he fighting for Californians — or just fighting to preserve his place in the Democratic Party’s shrinking spotlight?
