Staff Reports
Jesse Watters lit into Governor Gavin Newsom on a recent episode of The Five, saying the California governor appears to be “struggling with the why” behind any potential 2028 presidential bid. Newsom has been pushing a national podcast and a string of high‑profile interviews while telling reporters he’ll “weigh” a run after the 2026 midterms — a posture Watters and others on Fox say looks more like performance than purpose.
Watters’ critique: “struggling with a why”
On air, Jesse Watters framed Newsom’s podcast tour and media appearances as evidence that the governor hasn’t settled on a clear, voter‑facing reason to run for president. That phrase — “struggling with the why” — is Watters’ reading of clips from Newsom’s conversations, not a line from the governor himself. The Fox segment used snippets from Newsom’s podcast and interviews to argue his outreach reads as image‑making rather than a policy roadmap.
Newsom’s answer: learning, testing messages, and keeping options open
Newsom has offered his own explanation: long‑form interviews are a chance to “learn” and to test messaging ahead of any decision. He’s been blunt about not closing the door — “I’d be lying otherwise,” he’s said when asked about a run — and even calls his podcasting “selfish” in the sense that it’s meant to make him better in life and politics. That tack — build a national profile through guest conversations and let the voters see you think aloud — plays well in some media circles. It also makes for an easy target in others.
What this really means for ordinary Americans
Whether you like him or not, a presidential candidate’s “why” matters. Voters aren’t just buying charisma; they’re gambling on whose agenda will shape taxes, the border, energy, and schools for years. Meanwhile, Californians still live with the consequences of state policy decisions: sky‑high housing costs, crowded streets, and public safety questions that don’t disappear because a governor starts a podcast. If you’re campaigning for the nation, you’d think you’d explain why you deserve to steer the whole country — not just give us a slow roll of glossy interviews.
The test ahead
Newsom can keep saying he’s “learning” and that he’ll decide after the midterms, but voters — conservative and otherwise — will want a clearer answer: what problem are you trying to fix for America, and how does your record in California make you the one to fix it? If the governor can’t answer that plainly, then Watters’ jab lands: style without substance won’t win hearts in a country that pays attention when things go wrong. So ask yourself: should we pick a president who can’t yet explain why he wants the job?
