Newsom roasted online for 'staged' fly-fishing interview with CNN anchor where he dropped major 2028 hint
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Montana fly‑fishing interview sparks social‑media backlash
In a clip that has since gone viral on X, California Governor Gavin Newsom was seen standing in shallow water in a Montana river, repeatedly casting a fly‑reel while speaking with CNN’s Jake Tapper. The footage, recorded more than a month ago, was later shared online as Newsom sought to quell speculation that he might run for president in the 2028 election.
During the interview, Newsom told Tapper that he would not enter a presidential race if former Vice President Kamala Harris were to do so. “If Harris runs, I wouldn’t do that to her, I wouldn’t do it to me,” Newsom said. “I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time. Who needs that?” When Tapper suggested the Governor could run if he really wanted to, Newsom replied that a primary against Harris would be a “gift from God for everybody else” and a “mutually assured destruction” for both candidates. He also mistakenly referred to a Venn diagram—a visual tool used to show overlapping groups—as a “zen diagram,” mixing Buddhist meditation practice with the graph.
The clip, shot by a camera crew that was present at the river, quickly drew a wave of criticism. Users on X questioned the authenticity of the fishing scene, with some calling it a staged “business‑casual” stunt. “Why is Newsom fly fishing in business casual?” one user wrote. Another, with more than 55,000 followers, mocked the pair’s attempts to appear as everyday fishermen, remarking, “How lucky are we that a camera crew just happened to be standing in a Montana river while two guys who can’t cast pretended to fly fish.” A popular commentator noted that the footage was “totally organic. Not staged at all,” while another described the interview as “absolutely hilarious.”
A free‑beacon reporter pointed out that Newsom’s mis‑labeling of the Venn diagram as a “zen diagram” was among the most humorous moments. On the other hand, political commentator Kenneth Baer likened the video to the upscale French Laundry, suggesting that Newsom’s attempts to appear relaxed were “the most Gavin Newsom‑ish fishing video ever.” Economist Nick Messenger also added a sarcastic remark that the interview “will make us seem like nature guys.”
Despite the clip’s viral reach, the Governor’s office has not yet responded to inquiries. Fox News Digital attempted to contact Newsom’s team but received no reply as the story was published.