The feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom has been heating up recently, with DeSantis taunting Newsom to “stop pussyfooting around” and enter the race for the Democratic presidential nomination against Joe Biden. The taunts came after Newsom proposed a 28th Amendment to the US Constitution to enshrine gun laws to help end gun violence, while also starting a new “Campaign for Democracy”.[0] Newsom had proposed a debate between himself and DeSantis, who is running in the Republican presidential primary, in an interview with Fox News opinion host Sean Hannity on Monday.[1] Hannity proposed a television debate, with himself as the moderator, between Newsom and DeSantis.[2] Newsom immediately accepted the challenge, saying he would do it with one day’s notice and no notes.
During the interview with Hannity, Newsom and Hannity sparred over the economy, California’s homeless crisis, and immigration reform.[3] In both segments, Hannity raised concerns about President Joe Biden’s physical fitness for the presidency and pressed Newsom on how he would handle various scenarios as commander-in-chief.[3] Newsom also attended the first-ever Pride Night at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, signaling support for both LGBT+ rights and freedoms as well as for Disney.[4]
While DeSantis is running for the Republican presidential nomination and has been taunting Newsom to enter the Democratic race, Newsom has repeatedly said he will not challenge Biden in 2024, though his public campaigning and interstate beefs have made it difficult to put that rumor to rest.[5] Newsom has become a leading Democrat who has been sharply critical of former President Trump, and his name frequently arose as a possibility for the White House when Biden hadn’t yet made a decision about his reelection.[6] Similar to DeSantis, Newsom easily won his reelection and is restricted by term limits until 2026.[6]
The feud between the two governors has been fueled by their different policies and views on various issues, such as immigration, education, and cultural issues. DeSantis has been selling T-shirts emblazoned with the words: “STOP PUSSYFOOTING AROUND” after his campaign event.[7] Meanwhile, Newsom has been proposing new investments to help people dealing with homelessness get off the streets, as well as attending events related to Pride month.
Despite the ongoing feud between the governors, it remains to be seen whether Newsom will enter the Democratic race for the presidency in 2024. While he has been repeatedly denying any interest in running, his public campaigning and interstate beefs have made it difficult to put that rumor to rest.[8] For now, the public will have to wait and see what Newsom’s next move will be.
0. “Gavin Newsom Brutally Schools Sean Hannity On The Economy In Explosive Interview” Yahoo News, 17 Jun. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/gavin-newsom-brutally-schools-hannity-064239318.html
1. “DeSantis tells Newsom to ‘Stop Pussyfooting Around’ and Run for President” gvwire.com, 15 Jun. 2023, https://gvwire.com/2023/06/15/desantis-tells-newsom-to-stop-pussyfooting-around-and-run-for-president/
2. “Gavin Newsom Gives Sean Hannity Blunt Fact-Checks In Fiery Fox News Clash” HuffPost, 13 Jun. 2023, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gavin-newsom-fact-checks-hannity_n_6487d963e4b0756ff85f9889
3. “Gavin Newsom says Fox News, host Sean Hannity are on a ‘doom loop about California’” Sacramento Bee, 17 Jun. 2023, https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article276491206.html
4. “DeSantis taunts Newsom over 2024 run as California governor celebrates Disney Pride” The Independent, 16 Jun. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/desantis-newsom-2024-election-run-b2358474.html
5. “Battle Royale: Newsom and DeSantis Locked in a Verbal Showdown, Who Will Emerge Victorious? | Ash Jurberg” NewsBreak Original, 15 Jun. 2023, https://original.newsbreak.com/@ash-jurberg-560946/3059940581065-battle-royale-newsom-and-desantis-locked-in-a-verbal-showdown-who-will-emerge-victorious
6. “DeSantis taunts Newsom about 2024: ‘Stop pussyfooting around'” Business Insider, 15 Jun. 2023, https://www.businessinsider.com/desantis-taunts-newsom-about-2024-presidential-race-stop-pussyfooting-around-2023-6
7. “Ron DeSantis questions why Gavin Newsom won’t challenge Biden” NBC News, 15 Jun. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ron-desantis-questions-gavin-newsom-wont-challenge-biden-rcna89515
8. “‘Challenge Joe’: DeSantis finally responds to Newsom’s criticisms” SFGATE, 15 Jun. 2023, https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/desantis-finally-responds-to-newsom-criticisms-18154387.php
