Gavin Newsom is making headlines again, this time for raking in over 100,000 new campaign donors—many of them from outside California. The media is already buzzing with talk of him being the Democratic Party’s top contender for 2028. But before we get carried away by the hype, let’s break down what’s really going on here.
First, the claim: Newsom has gained more than 100,000 new contributors, many of them small-dollar donors, thanks to his attacks on President Trump and his support for Proposition 50—the redistricting measure designed to help Democrats in California. That’s the big talking point making its way through political circles and glowing media write-ups.
But what does this actually mean?
Let’s start with Proposition 50. This was not some fair-minded, good-government reform. It was a blatant power grab, an effort to redraw congressional districts in California to favor Democrats. It was Newsom’s response to redistricting moves in red states like Texas, where Republican lawmakers—backed by strong support from President Trump—fought to protect conservative representation. In other words, Newsom’s “leadership” on this issue was just more of the same: manipulating the system to hold onto power.
And it worked. The measure passed, and now Newsom is using that win to raise his national profile. He’s been pounding his chest, going after President Trump on social media, and positioning himself as the “aggressive fighter” Democrats have been looking for. That’s what’s attracting these new donors—not policy, not results, just pure political theater.
So who are these donors? According to the article, they include Hollywood executives, Silicon Valley billionaires, and elite developers. Sound familiar? This is the same donor class that has pushed far-left policies into mainstream politics and helped turn California into a warning sign for the rest of the country—rampant homelessness, sky-high taxes, and out-of-control crime.
But now, Newsom is bragging about his “star quality” and cozy relationship with Hollywood. Let’s not forget that earlier this year, while California was facing a massive budget shortfall, he doubled the state’s film and television tax incentive program to a whopping $750 million. That’s right—while families struggled to afford groceries and gas, Newsom handed out nearly a billion dollars to Hollywood studios. And this is the guy Democrats want to elevate to the national stage?
Even some of his own donors aren’t buying the hype. One openly admitted that Republicans see Newsom as the easiest Democrat to beat in 2028. Another donor warned that tech leaders in Northern California are annoyed with him after he signed a law that forces online platforms to post warning labels about social media addiction and comply with new AI regulations. It’s classic Newsom—big government overreach disguised as “safety,” all while alienating the very industries that drive innovation.
And let’s be honest—this media frenzy around Newsom’s fundraising isn’t about policy or leadership. It’s about desperation. The Democratic Party is in disarray. President Trump is back in the White House. The 2024 election was a clear rejection of the Biden-Harris agenda. Now Democrats are scrambling to find someone—anyone—who can rally their base. Right now, Newsom is the loudest voice in the room, but that doesn’t mean he’s the strongest.
Remember, this is the same guy who locked down his state during COVID while dining maskless at the French Laundry. The same guy who presides over a state losing population for the first time in decades. The same guy whose “solutions” always seem to involve more bureaucracy, more spending, and more control over your life.
Yes, he’s raising money. Yes, he’s getting attention. But the American people have seen what Democratic leadership looks like, and they’re not impressed. President Trump’s return has reignited confidence in law and order, economic growth, and putting America first. Newsom, on the other hand, represents the same failed policies that voters rejected in 2024.
So while the media celebrates Gavin Newsom’s growing donor list, let’s remember who he really is—a polished, well-funded symbol of everything that’s gone wrong in California. And if Democrats think that’s their ticket to victory in 2028, they’re in for another rude awakening.