Newsom’s political future 'practically nonexistent' as LA devolves into riots, social media critics predict

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's floated potential run for the White House in 2028 was likely thwarted by his handling of the anti-ICE riots gripping Los Angeles, conservative social media critics predict. 

Newsom has been floated as a likely 2028 Democratic contender for the White House as he wraps up his second term as governor in 2026. Riots plaguing the city in response to the Trump administration's efforts to remove illegal immigrants residing in Los Angeles, which come on the heels of massive wildfires that rocked southern California this winter, have left Newsom on precarious political ground, according to conservatives who are balking at his response to the LA chaos. 

"Gavin Newsom’s odds of clinching the 2028 presidential race are practically nonexistent," X user Angela Belcamino posted Monday. "Across the country, Americans are eyeing California’s struggles under his watch, convinced he’d unleash the same chaos nationwide if he ever won the White House." 

"Gavin Newsom’s handling of the LA riots should be considered an in-kind contribution to the @JDVance
2028 presidential campaign. Newsom is providing a lot of ad material for free," one social media account posted on Sunday. 

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"Notice how Newsom has no adverse commentary about the rioters – he saves all his venom for American authorities," author and retired Army Col. James Hutton posted to X Sunday. "This is why he has no chance to be president one day. Most Americans tend to believe in this country." 

Many critics of the riots unfolding in Los Angeles argued that photos of the scene would live in infamy and dash any hopes Newsom may hold on running for president. Some users remarked that the photos depicting rioters surrounded by flames and smoke while waving a Mexican flag "will cost Newsom his 2028 presidential run," and that the Trump administration "couldn't have asked for better" representation of California politics captured in photos.  

"Gavin Newsom is refusing to help stop the riots AND denying their existence because he bows to open borders donors... hoping they'll fund his 2028 Presidential run. Do not forget this!," Club for Growth senior analyst Andrew Follett posted to X, accompanied by a photo showing a rioter with a Mexican flag on a motorbike as smoke billowed behind him. 

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"Newsom 2028 off to a