Sacramento, Calif. – California Gov. Gavin Newsom revealed a surprising wave of outreach from Trump supporters Tuesday, claiming thousands have messaged him expressing vote regrets and praising his unyielding resistance to President Donald Trump’s agenda. The disclosure, shared during a Sacramento press conference amid the 36-day federal shutdown, underscores a potential fracture in the MAGA coalition as Newsom positions himself as a bulwark against what he calls “authoritarian overreach.”
Newsom, a likely 2028 Democratic contender, described the messages as a “groundswell of conscience.” “I’ve gotten thousands of notes from Trump voters saying they regret their choice and they’re happy I’m standing up to him,” he said, his tone a mix of vindication and resolve. The outpouring, he added, arrived after his viral social media trolling—mimicking Trump’s all-caps rants to highlight policy clashes on immigration and redistricting—drew 10 million views last week. “They’re seeing the chaos firsthand: SNAP frozen for 42 million, deportations ripping families apart. This isn’t what they signed up for.”
The claims come as Trump’s approval dips to 37% in CNN polls, with independents (52% unfavorable) fleeing amid the shutdown’s bite—blamed on Democrats’ demand for $1.5 trillion in ACA subsidies. Newsom’s office, locked in a gerrymandering feud with the White House, has repurposed $4 billion in federal grants for state defenses, including lawsuits against ICE raids. “California’s not bending—we’re breaking the mold,” Newsom declared, echoing his June speech urging Democrats to “stand tall” against Trump’s “rule of Don.”
Skeptics, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, dismissed the anecdotes as “fabricated fairy tales.” “Newsom’s desperate for relevance—Trump’s delivering surpluses and secure borders,” she retorted. Yet for Newsom, the messages signal a broader awakening: Even in red America, regret simmers. As midterms wrap with Democratic gains, his troll-turned-touchstone strategy—complete with “Newsom Was Right About Everything” hats—fuels 2028 whispers. In the Golden State’s golden hour, one governor’s defiance may just be cracking the MAGA monolith.
