California Governor Gavin Newsom is garnering substantial support from Hollywood’s elite donors as he eyes a potential bid for the presidency in 2028.

Since taking a bold stance against former President Donald Trump, Newsom has basked in the limelight. His sharp social media critiques of Trump, coupled with a recent triumph in redistricting, could potentially secure Democrats an additional five congressional seats in California for the upcoming midterms and beyond.

Following this victory, Newsom confidently declared that the Democratic Party was on the rise, asserting its growing influence.

Now, as reported by Deadline, influential figures within the film and television industry increasingly view Newsom as a promising leader for the Democratic Party’s future.

“I have to admit, I initially underestimated him,” said one agency executive to the outlet. “But Newsom has truly impressed me with his method of taking on Trump, the strategic jabs and all.” This sentiment marks a shift from their previous perception of Newsom, who once collaborated with the Trump administration to secure wildfire relief funds for California.

The executive further noted, “The situation with ICE raids and the National Guard’s deployment was a turning point.”

Another ‘top-tier producer’ and reliable Democratic donor proclaimed that Newsom is ‘a fighter’ and ‘that’s what we need.’

‘I just wish more Democrats, like Schumer and the leadership [in Congress] would emulate him, not take any s**t from Trump.’ 

California Governor Gavin Newsom is already getting major financial support from Hollywood megadonors for a potential presidential run in 2028. He is pictured in October with former Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour

Left-leaning film and television executives increasingly see the California Democrat as the future of the party. He is pictured here with actor George Clooney, actor Don Cheadle and US Senator Laphonza Butler in 2023

Newsom has certainly curried favor with Tinseltown over the years, with $313 million being handed out to television applicants last month. The Democrat is pictured in 2008 with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Magic Johnson

Newsom has certainly curried favor with Tinseltown over the years, with $313 million being handed out to television applicants last month.

He also more than doubled California’s film and television tax incentive program to $750 million annually this year.

‘Enthusiasm by LA donors is very strong and very encouraging, big checks are being written,’ Democratic insider James Costas said, noting that a major Democratic National Convention meeting is scheduled to take place in the city later this month.

‘It was a slow build early on as we recovered from the loss in November, but there has been momentum building, No Kings events, legal wins, the Kimmel effect, resistance growing and it’s turning into clear ways to fight back against the administration’s overreach and win in 2026 and 2028,’ added Costas, an HBO executive who served as ambassador to Spain under former President Obama.

Donna Bojarsky, a civic activist and political strategist, also told Deadline that Newsom has ‘captured the zeitgeist and spirit of the voters,’ crediting his willingness to take risks.

‘No one wants to really dive into the presidential race yet, but I think people are deeply impressed and curious to see how the next months go.’

In the meantime, one major donor said, ‘If you talk to anyone who really matters, they all want to make sure they are on the Newsom train if it takes off.’ 

Newsom has made a name for himself in recent months for his scathing social media posts aimed at President Donald Trump

Donna Bojarsky, a civic activist and political strategist, said that Newsom has ‘captured the zeitgeist and spirit of the voters.’ He is pictured here greeting supporters after speaking during a rally with the Harris County Democrats last month

The California Democrat confirmed in October that he has ambitions to become the president of the United States.

When he was asked in an interview on CBS News Sunday Morning whether he was seriously considering a campaign for the White House, Newsom replied: ‘Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying. And I can’t do that.’

But he is not the only Democrat eyeing the nation’s most powerful position, with names like Squad Member Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and even former Vice President Kamala Harris being floated as possible candidates.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Maryland Governor Wes Moore have even traveled to Southern California in recent weeks to meet with Hollywood executives on their own, Deadline reports.

And in the runup to next year’s midterm elections, candidates are already lining up to succeed term-limited Newsom as the California governor.

James Costas, an HBO executive who served as the ambassador to Spain under former President Obama, proclaimed that ‘big checks are being written’ for Newsom. He is pictured with former First Lady Michelle Obama

Experts credited Newsom’s handling of the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles as part of his growing appeal

It is also likely that Republicans will pounce on Newsom’s history of scandals as the 2028 presidential race gears up.

He admitted in 2007 to having had an affair two years prior with his City Hall appointments secretary as the Mayor of San Francisco.

That employee, Ruby Rippey Gibney, was at the time married to his good friend and campaign adviser, Alex Tourk.

‘I am deeply sorry,’ Newsom said in a written statement the time. ‘I humbly ask all of those I have hurt for their forgiveness. I will not let my personal failures impact my public duties.

‘I believe the best way I can atone for what I have done is to focus every day on helping to make this a better city. That is what I intend to do.’

Later, when the #MeToo movement emerged, Gibney said the affair with her boss was not a case of sexual harassment.

‘I fully support the #metoo movement,’ she wrote on Facebook. ‘In this particular instance, however, I am doubtful that it applies.

‘Yes, I was a subordinate, but I was also a freethinking, 33-year-old old adult married woman & mother. [I also happened to have an unfortunate inclination towards drinking-to-excess & self-destruction].’

Newsom had an affair with his campaign adviser’s wife Ruby Rippey Gibney in 2005

Following the scandal, Newsom announced that he would seek treatment  at San Francisco’s Delancey Street Foundation, which bills itself as a ‘leading residential self-help organization for substance abusers, ex-convicts, homeless and others who have hit bottom.’

In his statement Newsom, who was 39 at the time, said: ‘Upon reflection with friends and family this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that I will be a better person without alcohol in my life.

‘My problems with alcohol are not an excuse for my personal lapses in judgment.’

However, Newsom later clarified that he had not entered rehab, instead undergoing counseling from Mimi Silbert, president of the Delancey Street Foundation, and then resumed drinking under her guidance. 

A decade later, he told the San Francisco Chronicle that he ‘enjoys a little wine again.’

‘It was a reset.’ he said. ‘And I’m glad I did it. It was a great thing to do. And it was easy to do. There’s ten years of evidence that, you know, that’s not an issue. I literally, one day, just stopped for a couple of years.’

Newsom has more than doubled California’s film and television tax incentive program to $750 million annually this year

Newsom sparked outrage when he and his wife dined at a Michelin star restaurant in Napa Valley during COVID shutdowns 

More recently, Newsom sparked outrage when he and his wife dined at a Michelin star restaurant in Napa Valley during COVID shutdowns.

At first, Newsom said the gathering was held outdoors, but witnesses revealed that the group was completely inside.

In the aftermath, photos emerged of the California governor, his wife and two top officials from the California Medical Association sitting around a table not wearing masks. 

Newsom then admitted he ‘made a bad mistake.’

‘I need to preach and practice, not just preach and not practice,’ he acknowledged. 

Despite the scandals, polls showed that Newsom is leading Harris as a potential Democratic candidate in 2028 by up to 16 points – though one poll found that California voters worried he was spending too much time increasing his national profile and not on state issues.