US News Metro Long Island Politics

Sports NFL MLB Olympics NBA NHL College Football College Basketball WNBA

Business Personal Finance

Entertainment TV Movies Music Celebrities Awards Theater

Lifestyle Weird But True Sex & Relationships Viral Trends Human Interest Parenting Fashion & Beauty Food & Drink Travel

Health Wellness Fitness Health Care Medicine Men’s Health Women’s Health Mental Health Nutrition

Science Space Environment Wildlife Archaeology

Today’s Paper Covers Columnists Horoscopes Crosswords & Games Sports Odds Podcasts Careers

Email Newsletters Official Store Home Delivery Tips

Premature to say if Newsom’s running? Oh, please

That’s our two-word reply to Gavin Newsom after his own two-word dismissal of a California Post reporter’s question about his presidential ambitions.

“It’s wildly premature,” the guv said on Thursday when asked if he’s running for the White House.

That’s disingenuous, to put it mildly.

Newsom would do well to spend less time scheming to be president –– and then denying it –– and more time confronting crises in the state he’s meant to govern.

After all, if it’s premature for Newsom to discuss measuring curtains for the Oval Office, then:

Is it premature for the California governor to parade around Europe –– twice in three weeks –– to scoff at Donald Trump and pose as president-in-waiting?

Is it premature to tour the country to hawk a memoir with the Obama-eque title, “Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery”?

Is it premature to visit key early Democratic primary states on said book tour?

Is it premature to manufacture headlines –– and brand himself as resister-in-chief –– by trolling the president on social media?

We’ve seen the Gavin Newsom show for months: He gallivants hither and yon, conveniently boosting his presidential profile while shirking his duties at home and playing coy about his future.

The game speaks to the guv’s record of inauthenticity –– and indeed, his near-perpetual political theater.

That includes his grandiose promises on issues from homebuilding to homeless relief and his penchant for telling an audience what it wants to hear (as on his self-promoting podcast in March 2025 when he called men competing in women’s sports “profoundly unjust”).

And who can forget Newsom’s infamous January 2025 moment in the Palisades, when he fibbed to a fire victim about a phone-call-in-progress with then-President Biden?

Newsom’s game also speaks to his small-target tactic.

He knows: By downplaying his ambitions, he shrinks (for now) as a target for would-be rivals, Democrat or Republican.

What he thinks is clever is just transparent, tired, and disrespectful to Californians.

State residents are still waiting for the guv to confront a long list crises here, including: chronic high rates of homelessness; a staggering lack of affordability; stubborn housing, water, energy and road-capacity shortages; abysmal public education outcomes; overtaxation — including an absurd proposed billionaire tax; woeful underperformance by state government; rampant fraud; widespread crime; union and other special-interest capture of Sacramento; and more.

But at least Golden Staters can read about Newom’s childhood in San Francisco when the memoir drops on Feb. 24.

Also not premature: calling the governor out on his games.

presidential election 2028

Trending Now on NYPost.com

This story has been shared 76,955 times. 76,955 Mystery swirls around possible 'second suspect' in Nancy Guthrie case — as sheriff makes new admission

Mystery swirls around possible 'second suspect' in Nancy Guthrie case — as sheriff makes new admission

This story has been shared 54,979 times. 54,979 Influencer dies at 27 after undergoing major plastic surgery

Influencer dies at 27 after undergoing major plastic surgery

This story has been shared 39,580 times. 39,580 A powerful nor'easter could be headed for NYC: Here's how much snow we'll get and when it'll start

A powerful nor'easter could be headed for NYC: Here's how much snow we'll get and when it'll start

Most Commented Join the conversation

This story has 3.4K comments. 3.4K Ex-Prince Andrew arrested on his birthday over Epstein allegations

Ex-Prince Andrew arrested on his birthday over Epstein allegations

This story has 3K comments. 3K Trans dad ID'd as RI hockey shooter who gunned down family as sick posts are revealed

Trans dad ID'd as RI hockey shooter who gunned down family as sick posts are revealed

This story has 2.9K comments. 2.9K UK blocks Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran — and he is already retaliating

UK blocks Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran — and he is already retaliating

Kirsten Fleming Let's hear it for the girls: These Olympians didn't just win gold, they saved America’s sanity for a week

Let's hear it for the girls: These Olympians didn't just win gold, they saved America’s sanity for a week

Daniel McCarthy Libertarians who join the anti-ICE crowd are being duped by the anti-American left

Libertarians who join the anti-ICE crowd are being duped by the anti-American left

Douglas Murray How Apple News and other tech giants change the narrative for Democrats

How Apple News and other tech giants change the narrative for Democrats

Conan O'Brien breaks silence on Rob and Michelle Reiner's murders

Mystery swirls around possible 'second suspect' in Nancy Guthrie case — as sheriff makes new admission

Sections & Features US News Metro World News Sports Sports Betting Business Opinion Entertainment Fashion & Beauty Shopping Lifestyle Real Estate Media Tech Science Health Travel Astrology Video Photos Alexa Covers Horoscopes Sports Odds Podcasts Crosswords & Games Columnists Classifieds

Post Sports+ Subscribe Articles Manage

Newsletters & Feeds Email Newsletters RSS Feeds NY Post Official Store Home Delivery Subscribe Manage Subscription Delivery Help

NY Post Official Store

Home Delivery Subscribe Manage Subscription

Help/Support About New York Post Editorial Standards New York Post Awards & Recognition Customer Service Apps Help Community Guidelines Contact Us Tips Newsroom Letters to the Editor Licensing & Reprints Careers Vulnerability Disclosure Program

New York Post Awards & Recognition

Contact Us Tips Newsroom Letters to the Editor Licensing & Reprints Careers Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Letters to the Editor

Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Apps iPhone App iPad App Android Phone Android Tablet

Advertise Media Kit Contact

© New York Post