Longtime Democrat megadonor John Morgan, who recently switched to being an independent, has a cautionary message for the Democratic Party. He believes that Gavin Newsom should not pursue the nomination unless he takes a more centrist approach. Furthermore, he warned that an endorsement from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could spell disaster for Newsom’s presidential ambitions, a “kiss of death” that could derail his chances.
It’s just the latest in a string of unflattering remarks about the 2028 Democratic presidential ‘bench’ that looks more and more like a cartoonish collection of left-wing fanatics best suited for a banana republic in South America.
Morgan is well-known in California for his ads for his law firm, “Morgan & Morgan.” Recently, on Monday, he appeared on News Nation’s “Cuomo,” where he shared his thoughts with Cuomo and the audience. He described Governor Newsom as being “far, far left” and “far, far woke,” suggesting that if Newsom wants to have a shot at winning the 2028 presidential election, he’ll need to shift his stance towards the center.
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Which Newsom shows no signs of doing, by the way:
Here’s what I think about Newsom. … He’s perfect for the look. What I worry for him, and I’ve told this to the Speaker [Pelosi] … he [Newsom] decided to be the Democratic version of Donald Trump. You wanna be mean? I’ll be mean. You wanna be nasty? I’ll be nasty. … I told her, and I believe this, I think that’s a bad strategy. I think that by the time we get into 2028, America is going to be sick of meanness, and chaos, and that type of banter. … It’s a long race, he’s got to be careful not to sprint too fast. His second problem, Chris, is going to be this: Undoing everything he was for in California. Remember 350-thousand dollars in reparations for each African American? He’s going to have to run from his woke. … His problem is, his record is far far left and far far woke.
?NEW: Longtime Dem Megadonor John Morgan *SOUNDS ALARM* about Gavin Newsom's 2028 prospects?
"He’s gonna have to run from his woke … Usually when you’re a governor, that’s an asset. His problem is his record is far far left and far far woke."@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/Xy1lqIMWTv
— Jason Cohen ?? (@JasonJournoDC) February 17, 2026
Morgan makes a valid point about Newsom needing to backtrack on many of his positions as governor. His track record concerning the escalating homelessness crisis—despite spending millions to tackle the issue—along with the rise in crime after backing radical district attorneys, soaring housing costs, increased insurance and utility expenses, and rising gas prices, paints a troubling picture. Additionally, his inadequate response to the Los Angeles wildfires is likely to come back to haunt him during the primaries. If he manages to get through the primaries, his record will undoubtedly be a major focus in the general election.
? Obama Breaks With Gavin Newsom, Says Homeless Encampments in California Must Go
“We should recognize that the average person doesn't want to have to navigate around a tent city in the middle of downtown [LA] … That's a losing political strategy.” pic.twitter.com/Vz0rRwfNBz
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) February 14, 2026
One of Newsom’s significant challenges will be securing swing states like Arizona and Nevada, to begin with. Many Californians who left the state due to his unpopular policies have moved to those areas – high gas, housing, and business costs have driven hundreds of thousands out of the once-Golden State.
It’s very unlikely that those individuals will support Newsom in his presidential bid.
This will certainly impact his chances negatively. In states like Pennsylvania, Democrats may lean more towards candidates like Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) rather than Newsom. If a Democrat fails to win in Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, the road to the White House could become exceedingly narrow.
While it’s still early in the 2028 primary season, the fact that a veteran Democratic megadonor—who has recently distanced himself from the party—is already expressing doubts about Newsom signals a challenging road ahead for him. The Democratic field is expected to be crowded, with numerous candidates gearing up to persuade voters why they deserve the chance to become the 48th President of the United States.
