Pundits, politicians, and activists all thought California Governor Gavin Newsom was the 2028 frontrunner for the Democrat Party nomination before the presidency.
But everyone was left speechless by this announcement.
And Gavin Newsom declared he won’t run in 2028 if Kamala Harris makes one decision.
CNN’s Jake Tapper filmed an interview with Newsom where the two were fly fishing.
In this interview, Newsom tried to take running for President off the table as polls show Kamala Harris, thanks to her dominance with black voters, sits in the poll position for the nomination.
“I wouldn’t run if she ran,” Newsom said of Kamala.
That answer blindsided Tapper.
“If she runs, you will not?” a bewildered Tapper replied.
Newsom tried to make it seem he was acting out of friendship and party loyalty.
“Of course not, why would I?” Newsom shot back. “I wouldn’t do that to her, I wouldn’t do that to you, I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time. Who needs that?”
“What do you mean?” Tapper wondered. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
Newsom claimed that his running against Kamala would only hurt them both.
“No, I wouldn’t,” Newsom replied. “First of all, electorally, it’s a gift from God for everybody else that can enjoy the hell out of it. Mutuality assured destruction; it serves no greater good.”
“You do whatever you want, I don’t care,” Tapper answered.
Tapper then outlined why he thought Newsom had a case to make against Kamala.
“My counterargument would be like, she had a shot, and you’ve never run, and she’s run twice,” Tapper stated.
Newsom said this was “objectively true” and something he could say on the trail, but that his supporters overlapped with Kamala’s so it wouldn’t make a difference.
Kamala’s former finance chair / donor Mark Buell tells me moments ago:
“I don’t believe it,” in response to @GavinNewsom telling @jaketapper he won’t run if @KamalaHarris doesHe’s having lunch with Willie Brown right now and says “Willie is surprised too”
Adds “I think for… pic.twitter.com/xYL9JjeORK
— Zohreen Shah (@Zohreen) September 14, 2026
Some saw this interview as evidence Kamala isn’t running.
Clearest sign Kamala is not running https://t.co/EN2AiYXQYT
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) September 14, 2026
And the fact that Newsom got Tapper to make the case for why he was a stronger candidate than Kamala was clever, since in the minds of voters it came from an objective third party also looked like Newsom setting the stage to run.
The interview also set off immediate alarm bells, as anytime a Democrat is filmed performing an outdoor activity, it’s an obvious tell they are running for President, since it’s a clear attempt to present themselves as the opposite of an effete urban liberal.
Others weren’t so sure.
Kamala’s former finance chair/donor Mark Buell told journalist Zohreen Shah that Kamala was definitely running in 2028.
“I think for sure Kamala is (running), and Gavin hasn’t made up his mind yet,” Buell stated.
Buell theorized this interview was nothing more than Newsom keeping his options open.
“It’s two years away. There’s no active underground fundraising effort being done. Everyone is waiting for midterms to be over,” Buell added.
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