Local Reaction to Governor Newsom in Los Angeles
On Thursday, Johnny Belisario from Fox News took to the streets of Los Angeles to gauge public opinion about Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who has held office since January 2019. Newsom, California’s 40th governor, has faced significant criticism over issues like crime, homelessness, and natural disasters during his tenure.
As part of a segment on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Belisario asked random passersby about their thoughts on Newsom. Responses varied widely; one woman appeared confused, asking, “Who?” while another man, somewhat dismissively, referred to him as “Newscum,” a nickname used in his workplace. A different respondent noted that, although Newsom is a “handsome guy,” he didn’t seem to appreciate the governor because of his sentiments towards Trump.
Belisario pressed on, inquiring about what locals might consider Newsom’s greatest accomplishment during his time in office. Two men simply claimed they couldn’t identify any. One woman suggested that just being governor was an achievement in itself.
Recently, Newsom has been under fire for his leadership following several devastating fires in Los Angeles County that resulted in widespread destruction and significant loss. Just a month after these incidents, he released a podcast discussing various political issues.
Another woman questioned whether Newsom’s policies had made it harder for criminals to be prosecuted, but quickly reconsidered, saying, “But that’s not a good thing.” A man humorously remarked that trusting Newsom is like trusting a stripper.
A recent poll from the Berkeley Institute of Government showed mixed feelings among voters—54% of over 6,000 registered voters expressed that they would support him as a potential presidential candidate, while only 26% believed his actions are helping to resolve California’s challenges. Interestingly, opinions among Democrats were nearly evenly split: 40% saw no benefit from his policies, while 41% thought they were beneficial.
In recent discussions, Newsom has criticized former President Trump for his strict immigration policies, especially given Los Angeles’s status as a sanctuary city. The governor has even taken legal action against Trump following riots in downtown areas, amidst reports of destruction and vandalism.
