California Governor Gavin Newsom has finally admitted he’s “looking at” a 2028 presidential run, ending months of speculation about whether the Democrat would step onto the national stage. But even with that confirmation, Newsom stopped short of saying he’s actually running.

During a pre-taped interview for “CBS News Sunday Morning,” Newsom was asked directly if he was considering a White House bid.

“Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,” he said. “I’d just be lying. And I’m not — I can’t do that.”

It was the most direct answer yet from a man who’s spent years dodging the question. In recent months, Newsom has visited early primary states and started his own podcast — a platform that’s allowed him to debate conservative guests and sharpen his political message.

Despite the subtle hints, he’s continuing to play coy about his real intentions.

“Fate will determine that,” he said when pressed again about whether he was leaning toward a run.

The governor’s growing national profile has made him a top Democratic contender for 2028. Still, many see his record in California as a serious obstacle. Under Newsom’s leadership, the state has faced skyrocketing homelessness, some of the nation’s highest taxes, and gas prices that routinely top the charts.

California has also become known for its permissive immigration policies — including issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants with limited English proficiency, a policy that has sparked major safety concerns.

Critics say his economic and social policies have gutted what was once America’s most prosperous state. Businesses have fled in record numbers, while residents continue to leave California for lower-cost, safer states like Texas and Florida.

Even so, Democrats appear willing to overlook the problems. Party insiders still view Newsom as a fresh face with national appeal, especially compared to an aging leadership bench that includes figures like Vice President Kamala Harris.

Polls have consistently placed Newsom near the top of the potential 2028 Democratic field. His carefully maintained public image, slick presentation, and combative social media presence have helped him remain visible even as others have faded from view.

Newsom’s rise has been steady, but his ambitions aren’t new. In the run-up to the 2024 election, he was rumored to be preparing a presidential bid before throwing his support behind then-President Joe Biden. That move earned him goodwill within the party, but it also tied him to an administration that left the country weary of economic strain and border chaos.

Now, with Trump back in office and the political winds shifting, Newsom is positioning himself as the next standard-bearer for Democrats — even as voters at home have grown increasingly tired of his leadership.

A recent poll showed that most Californians don’t want him to run for president. Many blame him for the visible decline of cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, once symbols of American opportunity that are now plagued by open-air drug markets, crime, and homelessness.

Still, Newsom continues to build his national brand through high-profile interviews, social media spats with conservative governors, and national appearances that critics say are more about ambition than governance.

If he ultimately runs, a matchup against Vice President JD Vance could offer a stark contrast — pitting Newsom’s polished image and progressive politics against Vance’s working-class background and sharp, no-nonsense approach.

Whether or not he’s ready to say it outright, Gavin Newsom is already running in every way that matters. And as his record continues to follow him, the rest of the country is watching closely.