California Governor Gavin Newsom is once again under political fire — this time, for publicly acknowledging that he briefly questioned former President Joe Biden’s mental sharpness after a now-infamous fundraiser in Los Angeles, even as he continues to defend Biden’s legacy.
The admission, made during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” has reignited debates about Biden’s capacity in his final months in office and the loyalty of Democrats who stood by him amid clear public concern.
The moment marks a rare crack in Newsom’s otherwise unwavering support of Biden, whose decline became a political flashpoint during the 2024 election season.
Though Newsom insisted that he “never had” ongoing concerns about Biden’s cognitive health, his qualifier — “except for one interaction” — quickly drew national attention.
The Fundraiser That Raised Questions
The event in question occurred in June 2024 at a star-studded fundraiser in Los Angeles hosted by Hollywood powerhouses George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
According to a new book co-authored by CNN’s Jake Tapper, Biden failed to recognize Clooney, one of his longtime friends and donors, leaving the actor “shaken to the core.”
Newsom was present at the event and confirmed that the incident gave him pause. “The one exception, as it relates to the interaction I had with him, that gave me pause, one, was the fundraiser in Southern California,” he told NBC host Kristen Welker. “And all of us were a little taken aback. But we also were mindful that he had been in Europe twice in about a week.”
The governor’s attempt to contextualize the episode did little to soften the blow. For many, his comments amounted to an implicit acknowledgment of what millions of Americans had already witnessed — that Biden’s cognitive decline was no longer possible to ignore.
The Fallout From Biden’s Debate
Just two weeks after that fundraiser, Biden took the stage for a televised debate against Donald Trump, a performance widely described as disastrous. His halting speech, moments of confusion, and failure to counter Trump’s attacks effectively sent shockwaves through his own party.
Within a month, Biden dropped out of the presidential race, ending one of the most dramatic collapses in modern American political history.
Newsom, who was widely seen as a potential successor, publicly defended Biden at the time, traveling across the country to campaign on his behalf and dismissing speculation about the president’s health as “right-wing propaganda.” Behind the scenes, however, Newsom now admits he raised private concerns.
“With grace and humility, I did raise alarms about that debate,” he said on NBC. “But for me, it wasn’t my job to go out there. My job was to give him the space.”
Critics argue that this approach was politically convenient — that Newsom was more concerned with avoiding blame than confronting reality. “He had the platform to tell the truth,” said one political commentator. “Instead, he kept quiet until it was safe to say what everyone already knew.”
Defending Biden’s Legacy
Despite acknowledging that one troubling moment, Newsom used much of the interview to defend Biden’s record, listing achievements such as the CHIPS and Science Act, infrastructure investment, and COVID-19 recovery efforts.
“He was one of the most successful presidents in the last century,” Newsom said. “I will defend that to my grave.”
He maintained that Biden’s challenges in his final months did not erase his accomplishments in office. “I just talked to the president a few hours ago,” Newsom said, emphasizing his continued respect for the 46th president. “I’ve been privileged to have a relationship with him.”
Still, the contrast between his steadfast public defense and his recent admission of private doubts has left some Democrats uneasy. “It sounds like he’s trying to have it both ways,” one strategist said. “He wants credit for loyalty, but also distance from the collapse.”
The Question of Ambition
The conversation inevitably turned to Newsom’s own presidential ambitions. With Biden out of the picture and Vice President Kamala Harris failing to consolidate full party support, Newsom’s name has repeatedly surfaced as a potential frontrunner for the 2028 election.
Asked directly whether he plans to run, Newsom gave his usual evasive answer: “I’m not suggesting I am.” He then added, “There’s nothing I dislike more than a politician that sits there and lies to you. We’ll see what happens.”
His tone — simultaneously denying and hinting — did little to dispel speculation. Analysts suggest that Newsom’s entire handling of the Biden question reflects a careful balancing act: defending his party’s legacy while leaving himself room to step forward when the time comes.
“Newsom’s strategy is clear,” said political analyst Karen Holbrook. “He’s staying loyal enough to keep the Democratic base, but measured enough to position himself as the next generation of leadership. It’s calculated, and it’s working — for now.”
A History of Calculated Loyalty
Throughout Biden’s presidency, Newsom was one of his most vocal defenders, even when other Democrats quietly distanced themselves.
During moments of crisis — from the Afghanistan withdrawal to inflation surges — Newsom maintained a posture of unity, branding himself as the Democratic governor who refused to “feed Republican narratives.”
His name surfaced repeatedly as a potential challenger to Biden in 2024, particularly as polls showed growing public concern about the president’s age.
Yet Newsom rejected those rumors, calling any talk of a primary challenge “disrespectful” and “divisive.” Instead, he launched a “red state tour,” debating governors like Ron DeSantis and presenting himself as the articulate face of progressive governance.
Now, after Biden’s withdrawal, that strategy looks shrewd. But it also makes his sudden candor about the president’s memory lapses appear opportunistic. “He wants to seem honest without admitting he misled the public,” said one political observer. “That’s a fine line, and not everyone’s buying it.”
The Clooney Connection
The story of Biden’s confusion at the California fundraiser struck a nerve not just because of what it revealed about his health, but because it involved George Clooney — one of Hollywood’s most respected figures and a longtime Democratic donor. Clooney, according to reports, was “devastated” by the encounter and privately described Biden as “not the man I knew.”
For Newsom, who has built his political brand on Hollywood connections and California glamour, the incident hit close to home. His acknowledgment of it was both personal and political — a moment that confirmed what insiders had whispered for months.
Still, Newsom was quick to deflect, suggesting that Biden’s fatigue might have been understandable. “He had been in Europe twice that week,” the governor reminded viewers. “Anyone in that position would have been exhausted.”
The Debate That Changed Everything
The first Biden-Trump debate of 2024 remains a turning point in modern politics. The contrast between Trump’s energy and Biden’s visible frailty shifted public sentiment overnight. Democratic operatives panicked, donors froze contributions, and media outlets that once defended Biden began calling for him to step aside.
In that moment, Newsom stepped into the spotlight, attending post-debate events and praising Biden’s “decades of leadership.” Many saw it as a calculated act of loyalty — and a move to demonstrate party unity even as internal collapse loomed.
When Biden finally bowed out weeks later, Newsom immediately pledged his full support to Vice President Harris. Yet his enthusiasm appeared muted, and reports surfaced that he privately considered entering the race himself before ultimately deciding against it.
The Long Game
By maintaining his loyalty while subtly acknowledging what others feared to say aloud, Newsom may have positioned himself perfectly for the future. His NBC appearance was not just about revisiting the past — it was about shaping his image going forward.
“He’s playing chess, not checkers,” said political consultant Rick Donovan. “By admitting that one moment of concern, he makes himself look honest. By emphasizing Biden’s success, he keeps the Democratic establishment on his side. It’s a careful narrative — he was loyal, but he wasn’t blind.”
Reactions Across the Political Spectrum
Republicans, unsurprisingly, seized on Newsom’s remarks as vindication of what they had claimed for years — that Democrats knowingly covered up Biden’s cognitive decline to maintain power. “They all knew,” tweeted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. “They lied to the American people and propped up a man unfit to serve.”
Conservative media outlets echoed the sentiment, accusing Newsom of trying to rewrite history now that Biden’s presidency has ended. “He defended the cover-up until it was politically convenient not to,” said one Fox News panelist.
Within Democratic circles, reactions were more mixed. Some praised Newsom for his loyalty and honesty, while others viewed his comments as a betrayal. “It feels like he’s trying to rewrite his role,” said a Democratic strategist. “He had the ear of the president — he could have spoken up earlier.”
Looking Ahead to 2028
As the Democratic Party looks toward 2028, Newsom’s calculated approach may either help or haunt him. His image as a polished, media-savvy leader remains strong, but critics say he embodies the same elite detachment that cost Democrats working-class trust.
Still, his ability to stay relevant through crisis after crisis has impressed even skeptics. “He’s the most politically adaptable Democrat in the country,” said analyst Maria Perez. “He can pivot without looking panicked, and that’s rare.”
Conclusion
Gavin Newsom’s admission that he briefly questioned Joe Biden’s mental fitness marks a subtle but significant moment in his political journey. It reveals the tension between loyalty and ambition, truth and timing — a dynamic that defines his rise within the Democratic Party.
By carefully acknowledging one “exceptional” moment of concern while still defending Biden’s record, Newsom walked the line between candor and calculation. But whether voters see that as authenticity or opportunism remains to be seen.
For now, one truth is clear: the California governor is thinking beyond 2024. And while he insists he’s not running yet, every move he makes seems to suggest otherwise.
