California Governor Gavin Newsom has confirmed that he is seriously weighing a presidential bid in 2028, though he emphasized that he has not made a firm decision about whether he will enter the race. His comments came during a recent appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning, where the governor spoke candidly about his political future.

When pressed on whether he is considering a run for the Democratic nomination, Newsom responded directly: “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying. And I’m not — I can’t do that.” Though the answer revealed genuine interest, he maintained that no final choice has been made.

Over the past several months, Newsom has been increasingly visible on the national stage. He has traveled to several early primary states, including South Carolina, and has launched his own podcast, which has featured extended debates with conservative guests. According to the New York Post, the podcast functions partly as a sparring ground where Newsom sharpens his messaging skills ahead of what many believe could be a future campaign.

His social media activity has also intensified. Newsom has used his platforms to trade barbs with Republican critics, often adopting a tone that mimics former President Donald Trump’s exaggerated, capitalization-heavy communications style. His online posts frequently go viral, adding fuel to speculation that he is positioning himself for a national run.

Newsom, now in his second term, will be forced to leave office due to California’s term limits. His time as governor ends next year, leaving his political future wide open. Polling regularly shows him as one of the top potential contenders in any future Democratic presidential field, though he has repeatedly brushed aside questions about 2024 and past speculation that he might challenge President Joe Biden.

Asked again whether he will run in 2028, Newsom told CBS: “Fate will determine that.” He added that he remains unsure what direction his career will take after he leaves office. In a self-deprecating aside, he referenced his dyslexia, noting that he scored 960 on his SAT and struggled academically as a child. That background, he said, makes the idea of being considered for the presidency “extraordinary” to him. “Who the hell knows?” he added. “I’m looking forward to seeing who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment.”

One potential rival may come from within his own party. Former Vice President Kamala Harris recently hinted she is also thinking about a 2028 run. In an interview with the BBC, Harris said, “I am not done,” which many interpreted as a signal she intends to remain active in national politics.

While contemplating his future, Newsom has stayed busy carving out a national role for himself. He has leaned into confrontations with Trump and other Republicans, voicing frustration that Democrats, in his view, have not pushed back forcefully enough. These clashes have elevated his profile and energized supporters who want more aggressive counterarguments from Democratic leaders.

Only months ago, Newsom stirred controversy after predicting on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that the United States might not even hold a presidential election in 2028 if Trump’s alleged authoritarian tendencies continued unchecked. “I fear that we will not have an election in 2028,” Newsom said during the September 23 appearance. “I really mean that in the core of my soul — unless we wake up to the code red, what’s happening in this country.”

He criticized the Republican administration for what he described as “authoritarian actions,” particularly in its handling of nationwide immigration enforcement. Newsom recently signed a California law banning local and federal officers from wearing masks during official duties, though the specifics of enforcement remain unclear. He argued that masked officers emerging from unmarked vehicles could reasonably provoke fear. “By definition, you’re going to push back,” he said. “These are not just authoritarian tendencies. These are authoritarian actions by an authoritarian government.”

Federal officials strongly dispute such accusations. Tom Homan, who serves as border czar, along with other administration representatives, has repeatedly said that immigration teams do not target random individuals but instead focus on people in the country illegally who have criminal records or hold existing deportation orders. They argue that intense rhetoric from Democratic lawmakers has fueled a dramatic increase in threats and violence against federal agents—violence that officials claim has surged by more than 1,000 percent.

As Newsom balances governing California with expanding his national voice, the political stage is already shifting toward 2028. Whether he ultimately decides to enter the race remains to be seen, but his visibility, assertiveness, and willingness to engage in national debates have ensured that he will remain a central figure in the conversation for years to come.