Newsom says he has “no idea” whether he would be a good U.S. president when asked in Detroit interview

Asked during an interview about presidential suitability amid 2028 speculation, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declined to offer a direct assessment, saying the question was “difficult” and that he had “no idea.”

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Thursday he was unsure whether he would make a good president, responding that he had “no idea” when asked that question in an interview in Detroit.

The exchange occurred during an interview with “Detroit Talk City,” according to reporting by The Hill. When the host asked whether he would be a good president, Newsom answered, “That’s a, that’s a difficult question to answer,” and added that he had “no idea.”

The remarks came as speculation continues over whether Newsom might seek the White House in 2028. The question he faced did not involve an announced policy agenda or a specific executive action, but rather a personal suitability assessment as discussions swirl around potential presidential contenders.

Newsom’s comments did not include any detailed explanation of what criteria he would use to judge a presidential bid, or any discussion of how he might shape a future platform if he pursued one. The interview segment instead focused on his immediate uncertainty about the question as put to him.

Newsom’s response also did not state a clear timeline for any decision on whether to run. In the interview, he did not outline steps such as staff formation, policy rollout, or campaign organization, and the reporting did not describe any separate announcement tied to the remarks.

At the time of the interview, Newsom remained California’s sitting governor. As governors weigh national attention, questions about presidential readiness often become public shorthand for broader political expectations, but Newsom did not provide additional confirmation beyond declining to answer directly.

The Hill’s report presented the comments as part of the ongoing conversation about 2028. Without an official statement from Newsom’s office accompanying the interview segment, the remarks function primarily as an on-the-record response to a suitability question rather than a commitment to candidacy or a disclosure of plans.

Why It Matters

The exchange provides an on-the-record, direct answer from a high-profile potential contender, but it stops short of confirming any 2028 plans.
Because Newsom did not lay out criteria, timing, or a decision process, the remarks are unlikely to resolve the speculation around presidential intentions.
The interview illustrates how presidential “readiness” questions can become public political indicates even when no campaign or policy action is announced.
For voters and political observers, the statement chiefly clarifies what Newsom will not do, namely offer a definitive endorsement of his own presidential suitability on request.

Sources

Key Facts

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said he had “no idea” whether he would be a good U.S. president when asked during an interview in Detroit.
Newsom made the remarks in an interview with “Detroit Talk City,” according to The Hill.
When asked about presidential suitability, Newsom described the question as “difficult” before giving his “no idea” response.
The comments were reported amid continuing speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run.
The reporting did not describe an official candidacy announcement, timeline, or policy details attached to the remarks.