Hollywood Lines Up Behind Gavin Newsom for President in 2028, but California’s Crises Raise Tough Questions

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With talk growing about California Governor Gavin Newsom possibly running for president in 2028, major Hollywood donors are already showing they’re likely to support him.

A recent report from Deadline indicates that influential figures – including leading entertainment professionals, industry experts, and major Democratic donors – are already backing the California governor, highlighting his public image and willingness to challenge the White House. However, the situation within California itself presents a more complex picture, potentially contradicting the positive impression being created by his supporters in Los Angeles.

Hollywood Cheers Newsom for President, Big Checks Already Flowing

In Deadline’s reporting, donor enthusiasm is loud and unmistakable.

“He’s a fighter, that’s what we need,” one Hollywood producer told the outlet.

It’s frustrating to see more Democrats aren’t adopting Gavin Newsom’s strong tactics when dealing with political rivals.

James Costos, a longtime Democratic insider, told Deadline the donor class is fully mobilizing.

Donors in Los Angeles are showing incredible support, and we’re receiving significant contributions.

Costos noted that donations are increasing after some initial uncertainty following the 2024 election.

Political strategist Mathew Littman agreed with the preparations, explaining to Deadline that it’s crucial to build and nurture relationships early on.

Even though some are acting like they know who will be the nominee, most industry insiders say there’s no clear frontrunner yet. One major producer admitted they haven’t decided on the best candidate for 2028, but many are starting to support Gavin Newsom in case he becomes a strong contender.

Homelessness and Public Safety: California’s Largest Challenge

Although supporters acknowledge his strong national profile, California still struggles with the most severe homelessness problem in the United States.

California has a significant homelessness crisis, with over 181,000 people experiencing homelessness each night – representing almost a third of the entire U.S. homeless population. This number has been increasing yearly during Governor Newsom’s time in office, especially in large cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Growing worries about public safety – including homeless encampments, drug use, and the impact on city services – have led to investigations by state and federal officials. This highlights a disconnect between the optimism surrounding Governor Newsom and the actual challenges faced by residents every day.

January 2025 LA Wildfires Exposed Major Preparedness Gaps

Los Angeles recently experienced a devastating wildfire – a historic event that directly impacted communities connected to the entertainment industry and highlighted significant gaps in the city’s preparedness for disasters.

The Palisades Fire raged through Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and surrounding areas, tragically destroying over 6,800 buildings and claiming 12 lives. It was reported to be the most devastating wildfire in Los Angeles history.

Okay, so right around the same time as everything else, the Eaton Fire broke out. It was massive – over 14,000 acres burned! And the damage was just heartbreaking. Over 9,400 buildings were destroyed, and more than 100,000 people had to get out of their homes. It was a really scary situation, honestly.

Popular filming locations, featured in shows like Hacks, Matilda, and Entourage, were damaged. Production was also affected, forcing Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune to temporarily stop filming because of unsafe conditions near Culver City.

These fires occurred while Governor Newsom was presenting himself as a national leader on climate change. However, reports on the emergency response revealed problems like a lack of resources, overworked staff, and poor communication. This gap between his public image and the actual situation on the ground could be a problem for voters outside California.

Hollywood Production Leaves Los Angeles Despite Incentives

A recent report from Deadline highlights Governor Newsom’s increase in the film and TV tax credit to $750 million per year. However, despite this significant investment, film and television productions are still leaving California – a trend industry experts have been noting for some time.

Increasing expenses, rules, and limitations on facilities are making places like Georgia and New York, as well as international locations, more attractive for film and television production. As a result, even large studios such as Disney are now choosing to film more projects in countries like the U.K.

Despite Hollywood’s financial support for Gavin Newsom’s potential 2028 presidential run, film and television production continues to leave the state.

Celebrity Endorsements Failed in 2024 — And May Not Help Newsom Either

A recent article in Deadline points to a fresh effort by major Hollywood donors. However, the 2024 election showed that the power of celebrity endorsements isn’t unlimited.

Many famous entertainers – including popular musicians, Oscar-winning actors, and social media stars – publicly supported Kamala Harris during her campaign. However, she lost the election to President Trump by a large margin. After the election, several studies showed that these celebrity endorsements didn’t really change how people voted.

If Gavin Newsom decides to run for president and depends on endorsements from celebrities, the 2024 election results suggest that simply being famous might not be enough to win votes across the country.

A Growing National Spotlight

Major Hollywood donors are increasingly viewing Gavin Newsom as the Democratic party’s best hope for the 2028 presidential election. As reported by Deadline, there’s genuine excitement among these donors for a fresh candidate. However, Newsom faces significant issues in California – including problems with homelessness, wildfires, the loss of film and television production, and rising living costs – which his political opponents will likely emphasize.

The governor’s accomplishments are largely defined by his time in California. As he gains more national attention, voters outside of Los Angeles might see his record in a way that differs from how those currently supporting him view it.

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2025-12-01 23:58