Stephen A. Smith from ESPN SportStalker is diving deep into political discussions, this time focusing on California’s liberal Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom. He warns that the recent LA riots could jeopardize Newsom’s presidential ambitions for 2028.
On Monday, Smith described these disruptive protests as “the latest Democratic derailment,” as reported by Fox News.
California governors have often harbored presidential aspirations, and Newsom has been eyeing the White House since at least 2018. Yet, despite the ongoing speculation, he has not officially announced his candidacy. Smith believes that Newsom may be misstepping in this regard.
“Why are you playing into Donald Trump’s hands?” Smith posed as a rhetorical question. “I have some news for you—this relates to immigrants, undocumented individuals—let’s be honest, we often refer to them as illegal in the U.S. That’s a significant part of this issue, and it explains why he’s garnered some popular support.”
“When you hear Gavin Newsom discuss this, or when you listen to Mayor Bass, and when Democrats engage with the topic, it shows that ‘they’re against me on this matter.’”
Smith added that Newsom appears to be out of sync with public sentiment, as polls indicate more Americans are siding with Trump’s stance on immigration and border security, which could have negative implications for his prospects.
“This isn’t going to work in his favor,” Smith argued. “Look at California’s income taxes and living expenses. It’s not the right time to address crime rates, homelessness, or border concerns. There’s a lot at stake here. It’s not just about him taking a stand.”
“I can’t say if he can navigate this situation,” Smith remarked. “While Gavin Newsom is certainly intelligent and quick-witted, it’s difficult to envision him consistently aligning himself against the grain of public sentiment in California.”
Smith has also floated the idea of entering politics himself. At times, he seems intrigued by the prospect, but then quickly shifts to express indifference regarding a political career. He portrays himself as a “moderate” despite admitting he has never voted for a left-leaning Democrat nor supported a Republican in his lifetime.
