Dave Rubin and his Actual Friends co-hosts spent part of a recent episode floating the idea that Gavin Newsom could face his own MeToo-style scandal, a line of discussion that’s more than idle chatter in today’s media climate. The hosts argued that a single credible accusation could torpedo any 2028 presidential ambitions before the Democratic primary even warms up, and that possibility is now being debated loudly on the right.
That speculation doesn’t come from nowhere. Newsom’s office has been accused of interfering in the Activision Blizzard discrimination case, prompting a senior state lawyer to resign in protest and leaving questions about whether the governor’s priorities include shielding allies over seeking justice. For voters tired of double standards, those allegations of political meddling make the idea of a hypocrisy-driven scandal much more plausible.
The governor’s inner circle has also looked shaky lately, with a former top aide indicted on public corruption charges—an extraordinary development that feeds a narrative of entitlement and secrecy at the top of California’s government. When a governor’s staff faces federal indictments, it’s fair to wonder how far any potential cover-up might reach and whether the headlines ahead of 2028 will be about policy or scandal.
Newsom’s national ambitions have also been undermined by embarrassing optics, from recent Davos photo-ops to public sniping that paints him as part of an elite political class detached from ordinary Americans. These moments aren’t trivial; political campaigns live on narratives, and the more the media and opponents can stitch together a portrait of arrogance and backroom deals, the more vulnerable he becomes to any allegation, real or imagined.
It’s worth remembering that Newsom has positioned himself as a champion of MeToo-era reforms, signing bills to limit gag clauses and extend protections for victims—positions that are politically useful until you’re accused of the very behavior you legislate against. Hypocrisy on matters of sexual misconduct is unforgiving in the court of public opinion, and Democrats who flirt with nominating someone compromised by scandal will find their moral high ground evaporates fast.
Conservatives should welcome scrutiny here, not because we hope for personal ruin, but because accountability is the essence of good government. If the left wants to put forward a standard-bearer for 2028, that candidate should be beyond reproach; if they are not, then exposing contradictions and demanding answers is the job of a free press and a skeptical electorate.
The larger lesson for Republicans and independents watching this unfold is simple: don’t assume the media will police its own. If Democrats insist on a standard of character above politics, they must apply it internally, not just to opponents. The coming months could show whether Newsom’s national aspirations are built on competence and integrity, or on a fragile castle of optics that collapses at the first credible crack.
