Nancy Pelosi is reportedly mobilizing her vast donor network to crown California Governor Gavin Newsom as the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential candidate, raising serious questions about coastal elites handpicking nominees while everyday Americans are shut out of the process.
Story Snapshot
- Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is actively leveraging her donor connections to position Gavin Newsom for a 2028 White House run, with insiders calling her a “Gavin fan-girl.”
- Pelosi has publicly praised Newsom across multiple high-profile interviews, describing him as presidential material who would “make a great president.”
- The 85-year-old retired Congresswoman’s kingmaker role reflects the Democratic establishment’s pattern of anointing candidates rather than letting voters decide.
- Newsom has been building his national profile through international appearances and Trump criticism, while maintaining close ties to Pelosi through their shared San Francisco political base.
Pelosi’s Kingmaker Strategy Emerges
Nancy Pelosi has positioned herself as a Democratic kingmaker following her retirement from Congress, utilizing her extensive fundraising network to boost Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2028 presidential prospects. According to an Axios report, the former House Speaker has become unusually vocal in her support for Newsom, with former aides describing her enthusiasm as rare for someone typically reserved about early candidate endorsements. Pelosi told Politico directly that Newsom “would make a great president,” while praising his leadership qualities in interviews with The New Yorker, Vogue, and The Atlantic. This represents exactly the kind of backroom political maneuvering that frustrates conservative Americans who believe primary voters, not Washington insiders, should determine nominees.
California’s Coastal Elite Connection
The Pelosi-Newsom alliance reflects the deep connections within California’s Democratic political machine, with both politicians hailing from San Francisco and sharing family ties through a distant relation. Pelosi has consistently championed Newsom’s handling of the Trump era with what she describes as “defiance and charm,” though conservatives would characterize California’s governance under Newsom as disastrous for businesses and families. The 85-year-old former Speaker’s post-retirement freedom has enabled her to openly promote her preferred candidates without the constraints of House leadership, giving her unprecedented influence in shaping the 2028 field. Her donor network provides substantial financial leverage that could determine primary outcomes before average Democratic voters even cast ballots.
Newsom Builds National Profile
Gavin Newsom has strategically elevated his national presence through international appearances and consistent attacks on President Trump, positioning himself as the Democratic Party’s anti-Trump standard bearer. The California governor delivered speeches at the Davos World Economic Forum and Munich Security Conference, while preparing to release an upcoming memoir designed to boost his presidential credentials. Newsom’s spokesperson reaffirmed his admiration for Pelosi, calling her the “epitome of selfless public service,” though many Americans question the self-serving nature of this coastal elite partnership. His vocal criticism of Trump and international posturing appear calculated to appeal to Democratic primary voters still fixated on the previous administration rather than addressing real issues facing Americans today.
Democratic Establishment’s Pattern Continues
Pelosi’s efforts to elevate Newsom exemplify the Democratic establishment’s troubling pattern of selecting candidates through insider influence rather than grassroots support. The former Speaker is simultaneously promoting Rahm Emanuel, the former Obama chief of staff and Chicago mayor, who has hinted at his own 2028 intentions by stating he’s “not done with public service.” This dual endorsement strategy reveals uncertainty within Democratic power circles about who can actually win in 2028, following President Trump’s decisive 2024 victory that exposed the party’s disconnect from working Americans. The contradiction of backing multiple candidates simultaneously undermines Pelosi’s credibility as a kingmaker, though her donor network remains a formidable force in Democratic politics.
Implications for 2028 Race
Pelosi’s early intervention in the 2028 race could significantly warp Democratic primary dynamics by channeling donor money and establishment support toward Newsom before other candidates gain traction. Democrats currently face historically low favorability ratings following their failed 2024 campaign, leaving the field wide open without a clear frontrunner. However, anointing another coastal elite from California risks further alienating voters in battleground states who rejected the party’s woke agenda and economic mismanagement under Biden. Pelosi’s machinations represent everything wrong with establishment politics: wealthy insiders in Washington and San Francisco deciding who should lead, while ordinary Americans watch their voices diminished by donor networks and political dynasties that care more about power than the people they claim to serve.
Sources:
Nancy Pelosi pushes Newsom for 2028 Democratic presidential bid: report
Nancy Pelosi Reveals Top Dem She Thinks Will Run in 2028
Pelosi Leaves Congress but Eyes on 2028, Pushes Newsom for the White House





