Newsom thrives on far-right animosity in his campaign to defeat Trump
In a unique national interview, the governor of California shares his experiences serving as a surrogate for both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, while also discussing the reason behind Trump continuously referring to him as “Newscum.”
TroibNews 
**CHARLOTTE, North Carolina** — Gavin Newsom may not have envisioned himself as the left’s surrogate-in-chief, but he is embracing his role as the primary target of the far-right.
During presidential debates in cities like Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Alpharetta, Georgia, Newsom has championed the Democratic ticket while also positioning himself for future aspirations. Following his debate with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Fox News, which had the backing of President Joe Biden’s administration, Newsom took to the South to campaign for Biden and later traveled through pivotal Blue Wall states.
On June 27, shortly after a challenging debate for Biden, Newsom appeared in a series of cable news interviews that combined elements of questioning with a therapeutic exchange. He turned the tables on one of the hosts during a backyard canvassing event in Charlotte, joking, “You may recall, I was the chief surrogate coming on and trying to calm down Rachel Maddow and saying, ‘It's going to be OK.’” The audience laughed, as he acknowledged the difficult night, adding, “That was a tough night.”
Newsom continued to express his unwavering support for Biden, highlighting the transformative nature of his presidency and placing much of that credit on Vice President Kamala Harris. “I couldn't be more proud of my old friend, Kamala Harris,” he said, emphasizing their long-standing relationship that predates their political careers.
While many Democrats vie for prominence, few share the depth of familiarity that Newsom and Harris have developed over the years. This relationship raises an important question for Newsom: What lies ahead with Harris potentially on the cusp of the presidency?
On Friday, in Cabarrus County, Newsom conveyed to a group of seniors why campaigning in North Carolina felt more relevant than back home, where the focus was mainly on the margins by which Harris would outvote former President Donald Trump. “I know everybody's focused on Wisconsin, focused on Pennsylvania, Michigan,” he pointed out. “You pull it off here, it's over. And when I say here, I mean, literally, here.”
Newsom’s involvement in the presidential race has certainly elevated his profile, even as he remains grounded in his responsibilities as governor of the world’s fifth-largest economy. He actively addresses challenges posed by oil companies and has recently vetoed broad regulations concerning artificial intelligence. Yet, that week, he found himself at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, engaging with students and exchanging casual conversations about NASCAR and Trump, as well as his “old friend” Harris.
He remarked to one student about how Harris excelled in her recent interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, even criticizing Trump for avoiding tough interviews. “He didn't have the courage to show up on '60 Minutes,'” he said during a joint appearance with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “You think [Trump] is ever going to get interviewed by Rachel Maddow? He is scared to death.”
Initially, it wasn't guaranteed that Newsom would spend so much of his year campaigning for Biden. His earlier comments about Democratic leaders being slow to react to the Supreme Court’s decision on abortion rights had drawn eye rolls from White House insiders. However, he redeemed his standing within the administration by assuring top aides he wouldn't challenge Biden in 2024.
Throughout his campaign stops, questions about his own presidential ambitions have persisted, both from the media and from voters, revealing a mutual understanding between surrogate and principal. Although Biden’s team occasionally viewed Newsom as overly attached to his narrative, he consistently delivered for them. Despite discussions about Biden’s age and the potential need for succession, Newsom maintained faith in Biden’s campaign.
Surrogates who are effective remain loyal to their candidates. Newsom has emerged as an exceptional Biden advocate—decades younger, charismatic, a fierce debater, and an able messenger for the administration’s achievements, including impactful job and manufacturing statistics and initiatives like Build Back Better.
Newsom has consistently criticized Trump for enabling a GOP agenda that undermines rights, from abortion access to marriage equality and contraception.
He played a significant role in securing delegates for Harris, although he faced backlash for remaining low-profile at the convention in Chicago. The evolution from Biden supporter to Harris backer has been gradual, marked by his participation in fundraisers alongside notable figures like Tim Walz and Nancy Pelosi.
In Sacramento, Newsom has rallied his staff to push back against any notions of becoming a lame duck governor, recently signing legislation aimed at tackling rising gas prices. With two years left in his governorship, he returned to campaigning for Harris, with a trip to North Carolina and participation in a gathering with other governors in Michigan serving as bookends to the year.
Having shared a unique history with both Harris and Trump, Newsom acknowledged their intertwined narratives. “That was pretty much the last time that I did anything before Kamala Harris,” he said. He highlighted the implications of a potential victory for either candidate on his own trajectory, noting, “I’ve got a lot I want to finish up” as governor before his term ends in 2026.
He anticipates a retaliatory “vengeance” approach from Trump post-presidency, detailing Trump’s previous threats surrounding federal disaster relief and his climate policies. “He goes to the Economic Club and brings up ‘Newscum,’” Newsom noted, referring to Trump’s pejorative nickname for him. “I’m in their news cycles. I’m part of their conversations.”
At a brewpub near Davidson College, where NBA star Stephen Curry studied, Newsom emphasized the current moment as a defining one for America. “And you have the ability to determine fate and future,” he asserted.
His visit to the National Archives to view the Declaration of Independence and his attendance at Ethel Kennedy's memorial, sitting behind Biden, Obama, and Clinton, was profoundly moving for him. “Her life was about racial justice, economic justice, social justice. She was a fierce warrior of service and contribution,” he expressed, reflecting on the values of empathy and collaboration shared during the event.
As he reflected alongside former Secretary of State John Kerry, who has his own near-presidential history, the conversation turned to the razor-thin margins in pivotal states like Ohio and the weight of every vote in shaping the future.
For Newsom, the stakes have shifted significantly. A Harris win could sideline him from presidential aspirations for eight years, but a Trump victory could catapult him into prominence as the leader of blue America.
As he approaches the final days of campaigning ahead of the 2024 election, Newsom remains focused on the immediate challenges. “I don't even want to think about that,” he stated. “This country needs a break from the next election. It’s exhausting.”
Before embarking on his final campaign days, he lamented the excessive financial resources spent on perpetual campaigning. “This is gross. This is not sustainable,” he concluded.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
During presidential debates in cities like Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Alpharetta, Georgia, Newsom has championed the Democratic ticket while also positioning himself for future aspirations. Following his debate with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Fox News, which had the backing of President Joe Biden’s administration, Newsom took to the South to campaign for Biden and later traveled through pivotal Blue Wall states.
On June 27, shortly after a challenging debate for Biden, Newsom appeared in a series of cable news interviews that combined elements of questioning with a therapeutic exchange. He turned the tables on one of the hosts during a backyard canvassing event in Charlotte, joking, “You may recall, I was the chief surrogate coming on and trying to calm down Rachel Maddow and saying, ‘It's going to be OK.’” The audience laughed, as he acknowledged the difficult night, adding, “That was a tough night.”
Newsom continued to express his unwavering support for Biden, highlighting the transformative nature of his presidency and placing much of that credit on Vice President Kamala Harris. “I couldn't be more proud of my old friend, Kamala Harris,” he said, emphasizing their long-standing relationship that predates their political careers.
While many Democrats vie for prominence, few share the depth of familiarity that Newsom and Harris have developed over the years. This relationship raises an important question for Newsom: What lies ahead with Harris potentially on the cusp of the presidency?
On Friday, in Cabarrus County, Newsom conveyed to a group of seniors why campaigning in North Carolina felt more relevant than back home, where the focus was mainly on the margins by which Harris would outvote former President Donald Trump. “I know everybody's focused on Wisconsin, focused on Pennsylvania, Michigan,” he pointed out. “You pull it off here, it's over. And when I say here, I mean, literally, here.”
Newsom’s involvement in the presidential race has certainly elevated his profile, even as he remains grounded in his responsibilities as governor of the world’s fifth-largest economy. He actively addresses challenges posed by oil companies and has recently vetoed broad regulations concerning artificial intelligence. Yet, that week, he found himself at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, engaging with students and exchanging casual conversations about NASCAR and Trump, as well as his “old friend” Harris.
He remarked to one student about how Harris excelled in her recent interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, even criticizing Trump for avoiding tough interviews. “He didn't have the courage to show up on '60 Minutes,'” he said during a joint appearance with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “You think [Trump] is ever going to get interviewed by Rachel Maddow? He is scared to death.”
Initially, it wasn't guaranteed that Newsom would spend so much of his year campaigning for Biden. His earlier comments about Democratic leaders being slow to react to the Supreme Court’s decision on abortion rights had drawn eye rolls from White House insiders. However, he redeemed his standing within the administration by assuring top aides he wouldn't challenge Biden in 2024.
Throughout his campaign stops, questions about his own presidential ambitions have persisted, both from the media and from voters, revealing a mutual understanding between surrogate and principal. Although Biden’s team occasionally viewed Newsom as overly attached to his narrative, he consistently delivered for them. Despite discussions about Biden’s age and the potential need for succession, Newsom maintained faith in Biden’s campaign.
Surrogates who are effective remain loyal to their candidates. Newsom has emerged as an exceptional Biden advocate—decades younger, charismatic, a fierce debater, and an able messenger for the administration’s achievements, including impactful job and manufacturing statistics and initiatives like Build Back Better.
Newsom has consistently criticized Trump for enabling a GOP agenda that undermines rights, from abortion access to marriage equality and contraception.
He played a significant role in securing delegates for Harris, although he faced backlash for remaining low-profile at the convention in Chicago. The evolution from Biden supporter to Harris backer has been gradual, marked by his participation in fundraisers alongside notable figures like Tim Walz and Nancy Pelosi.
In Sacramento, Newsom has rallied his staff to push back against any notions of becoming a lame duck governor, recently signing legislation aimed at tackling rising gas prices. With two years left in his governorship, he returned to campaigning for Harris, with a trip to North Carolina and participation in a gathering with other governors in Michigan serving as bookends to the year.
Having shared a unique history with both Harris and Trump, Newsom acknowledged their intertwined narratives. “That was pretty much the last time that I did anything before Kamala Harris,” he said. He highlighted the implications of a potential victory for either candidate on his own trajectory, noting, “I’ve got a lot I want to finish up” as governor before his term ends in 2026.
He anticipates a retaliatory “vengeance” approach from Trump post-presidency, detailing Trump’s previous threats surrounding federal disaster relief and his climate policies. “He goes to the Economic Club and brings up ‘Newscum,’” Newsom noted, referring to Trump’s pejorative nickname for him. “I’m in their news cycles. I’m part of their conversations.”
At a brewpub near Davidson College, where NBA star Stephen Curry studied, Newsom emphasized the current moment as a defining one for America. “And you have the ability to determine fate and future,” he asserted.
His visit to the National Archives to view the Declaration of Independence and his attendance at Ethel Kennedy's memorial, sitting behind Biden, Obama, and Clinton, was profoundly moving for him. “Her life was about racial justice, economic justice, social justice. She was a fierce warrior of service and contribution,” he expressed, reflecting on the values of empathy and collaboration shared during the event.
As he reflected alongside former Secretary of State John Kerry, who has his own near-presidential history, the conversation turned to the razor-thin margins in pivotal states like Ohio and the weight of every vote in shaping the future.
For Newsom, the stakes have shifted significantly. A Harris win could sideline him from presidential aspirations for eight years, but a Trump victory could catapult him into prominence as the leader of blue America.
As he approaches the final days of campaigning ahead of the 2024 election, Newsom remains focused on the immediate challenges. “I don't even want to think about that,” he stated. “This country needs a break from the next election. It’s exhausting.”
Before embarking on his final campaign days, he lamented the excessive financial resources spent on perpetual campaigning. “This is gross. This is not sustainable,” he concluded.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
