Scarborough Critiques Newsom’s Political Tour Amid California Struggles

On Wednesday, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough expressed skepticism about Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has embarked on an out-of-state political tour despite serious issues back home.

Newsom is currently in rural South Carolina for a two-day tour, hinting at his ambition to run in the 2028 presidential election. Scarborough, speaking on “Morning Joe,” remarked, “There’s a really big problem.” He pointed out, “It’s interesting… it’s a long flight. He talks about feeling good about his chances while ignoring the quality of life issues in California.” His comment seemed to emphasize a disconnect between Newsom’s ambitions and the pressing concerns in his own state.

Another host, Joe, noted that California has become a significant concern for Republicans, mainly due to its current challenges with crime, drugs, and natural disasters.

As Los Angeles grapples with wildfires ravaging over 40,000 acres, many residents are left homeless. Top officials, including Newsom, face criticism regarding their responses to these disasters.

In January, Newsom was visibly distressed as he fled to his car after a resident affected by the wildfires sought answers about inadequate water supplies and preparedness before the fires struck. Newsom claimed to have attempted to call former President Joe Biden multiple times, but he suggested that bad cell service prevented the calls from connecting. This led to scrutiny regarding the management of resources.

California is reportedly lacking the necessary resources to effectively combat severe wildfires. Fire hydrants in certain areas have been underperforming, either due to low pressure or malfunctioning as officials attempted to douse flames. An analysis indicated that despite the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s involvement, the city does not have the budget to fully support adequate fire hydrant availability.

Other major cities, such as San Francisco, have seen an alarming rise in homelessness, drug trafficking, and various other crimes. Last March, residents of San Francisco’s most crime-ridden areas even filed a lawsuit against city officials, arguing that they allowed the outdoor drug market to flourish, facilitating local criminal activities.

Although Newsom’s administration has invested $24 billion in homeless services since 2019, the crisis continues to worsen. The state recorded over 187,000 homeless individuals in 2024, which accounts for nearly half of the total homeless population in the U.S., according to the California Institute of Public Policy.

Moreover, the high cost of living and rising crime rates have prompted a notable decline in the number of residents in recent years.