Are the pundits at CNN now throwing cold water at the prospect of a Gavin Newsom presidential campaign?
A top political commentator stunned a CNN panel by issuing a scathing critique of why the Democratic Party should not line up behind Newsom for a presidential run in 2028.
Sarah Elizabeth Cupp, known professionally as S.E. Cupp, told fellow panel members the California governor, who is widely speculated to make a move for the White House in 2028, is the wrong choice for Democrats.
According to Cupp, Newsom’s campaign would be doomed by what she called the baggage of leading a state with a terrible reputation.
“I don‘t like Gavin Newsom. I think the Democrats are wrong to wrap their arms around Gavin Newsom,” she said.
“I don‘t think another California coastal liberal is the savior of their party.”
CNN panelist S.E. Cupp tees off on Gavin Newsom: 'I don't like him' https://t.co/hkRrt5ERPa pic.twitter.com/1AklN7mg4O
— California Post (@californiapost) March 30, 2026
Cupp continued her scathing critique of the outgoing Newsom, saying: “I think Gavin Newsom has made a ton of mistakes. And I don‘t think California, as economically important as it is, should be a model for how our states should run,” she continued.
Newsom has brushed off suggestions that California is a poorly run state and has dismissed critics as having “California Derangement Syndrome.”
In many public appearances, he has highlighted California’s dominance in fields like artificial intelligence and agriculture, and his administration is planning a $19 million PR push for the state.
In a recent interview with Politico, Newsom said he even wouldn’t shy away from running on a platform highlighting the state and specifically San Francisco, which has garnered a worse image since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Why would I ever run from such greatness?” he said, despite the interviewer bringing up the city as a “symbol of lefty excess.”
“This city defines so much of what’s great about our state and country,” Newsom went on.
Newsom has yet to officially launch a presidential campaign.
In fact, he recently downplayed any presidential ambitions.
“It’s wildly premature,” Newsom said when asked directly by The California Post whether he was running for president during a press conference last month.
Newsom has previously been more honest about his presidential ambitions.
Asked on CBS News whether he would give a presidential run “serious thought” after the 2026 midterms, Newsom said: “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying. And I’m not — I can’t do that.”
A University of New Hampshire poll released in February showed former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg currently leading potential 2028 Democratic contenders in New Hampshire at 20%, with Newsom and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tied at 15%.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona were each at 10%.
Newsom has distanced himself from certain far-left aspects of the Democratic Party and hosted conservative guests on his podcast, despite facing backlash from progressives.
Newsom’s office has yet to comment on Cupp’s comments.