Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Is Gavin Newsom the Democratic front-runner for 2028?
In this recap of the Axios Show Alex Thompson shares behind-the-scenes insights from his sit-down with Governor Newsom with Axios Publisher, Nicholas Johnston.
They discuss Newsom's strategic rise as the "Chief Trump Foe," the complexities of his decades-long relationship with Kamala Harris, and his unique position as a "techno-optimist" in a party often wary of Big Tech.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Teaser: Newsom on critics and the "San Francisco machine."
0:23 - Why Gavin Newsom, why now? Assessing his 2028 potential.
0:53 - The "Chief Trump Foe": How Newsom is fighting fire with fire.
1:19 - The interview strategy: How to pierce the "prepared facade" of a seasoned politician.
2:02 - The Kamala Harris dynamic: Addressing the rumored tension and their shared history.
3:29 - The 2028 rivalry: Newsom vs. Harris as the potential top Democratic contenders.
4:06 - The "San Francisco Liberal" label: Can a California candidate win nationally?
5:38 - Piercing the veil: Getting direct answers on Israel and controversial policy.
6:31 - Newsom and big tech: Why he’s not an "AI doomer" and his ties to Silicon Valley elites.
7:54 - On Elon Musk: Why Newsom calls him "one of the great disappointments."
8:41 - Visionaries & nihilists: Newsom’s takes on Sam Altman and Peter Thiel.
9:36 - Why the "Hate" in our comments is a metric of success: Being a target for conservative media as a sign of political threat.
Watch the full episode here: youtu.be/Z3_vwCLVRqc
Is Gavin Newsom the Democratic front-runner for 2028?
In this recap of the Axios Show Alex Thompson shares behind-the-scenes insights from his sit-down with Governor Newsom with Axios Publisher, Nicholas Johnston.
They discuss Newsom's strategic rise as the "Chief Trump Foe," the complexities of his decades-long relationship with Kamala Harris, and his unique position as a "techno-optimist" in a party often wary of Big Tech.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Teaser: Newsom on critics and the "San Francisco machine."
0:23 - Why Gavin Newsom, why now? Assessing his 2028 potential.
0:53 - The "Chief Trump Foe": How Newsom is fighting fire with fire.
1:19 - The interview strategy: How to pierce the "prepared facade" of a seasoned politician.
2:02 - The Kamala Harris dynamic: Addressing the rumored tension and their shared history.
3:29 - The 2028 rivalry: Newsom vs. Harris as the potential top Democratic contenders.
4:06 - The "San Francisco Liberal" label: Can a California candidate win nationally?
5:38 - Piercing the veil: Getting direct answers on Israel and controversial policy.
6:31 - Newsom and big tech: Why he’s not an "AI doomer" and his ties to Silicon Valley elites.
7:54 - On Elon Musk: Why Newsom calls him "one of the great disappointments."
8:41 - Visionaries & nihilists: Newsom’s takes on Sam Altman and Peter Thiel.
9:36 - Why the "Hate" in our comments is a metric of success: Being a target for conservative media as a sign of political threat.
Watch the full episode here: youtu.be/Z3_vwCLVRqc
