Gavin Newsom: Lying His Way to the 2028 Democrat Nomination

On The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, the hosts dissected a striking soundbite from California Governor Gavin Newsom, delivered at a San Francisco press conference. Newsom claimed that “folks were scared to death to go out trick-or-treating… because they might be disappeared on the basis of what they look like”, tying his remarks to concerns about policing and constitutional protections.

Clay and Buck argued that this kind of apocalyptic framing is part of Newsom’s broader strategy to position himself as the progressive standard-bearer for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. They said his rhetoric exaggerates fears, painting America as a place where ordinary activities like walking a dog or attending a funeral could lead to people being “disappeared.”

The hosts emphasized two key points:

Fear as a political tool: They suggested Newsom is deliberately stoking anxiety in minority communities to build a national profile, even if the claims don’t match reality.

2028 positioning: By casting himself as the defender of vulnerable groups against what he describes as authoritarian threats, Newsom is laying the groundwork for a future White House run.

Clay and Buck concluded that Newsom’s remarks are less about California policy and more about crafting a national narrative—one they see as misleading but carefully designed to resonate with Democratic primary voters.