*Preview* The state of Gavin Newsom's presidential prospects

**This is a preview of our premium show, The Plug. To listen to the full episode, go to patreon.com/thedrain.** Today we're looking at California Governor Gavin Newsom just after his final State of the State address, posturing himself for a 2028 presidential run. Can our favorite AI-era Patrick Bateman find his way into the White House? We touch in his latest profile in The Atlantic (free link), which would not have been written had he not assured the editors at America's foremost neoliberal mag that he's running for president. It has some juicy bits, such as the fact that he holds no personal political views to speak of (source: Willie Brown), and that his ex-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle despises him--even if she did once publicly mention that he's a veritable tripod. Newsom's rise to power in San Francisco--and, ultimately, California--cannot be discussed without his close ties with billionaires such as the oil-baron Getty family. We take a hard look at his history, as well as his dire prospects for the presidency as America's working class shifts toward a more economically populist posture. Can Democrats count on Newsom and his billionaire lackeys to land the presidency? Likely not. Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms. Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at [email protected]. We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social