Fox News host Pete Hegseth cornered Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) in the spin room after Wednesday evening’s second Republican primary debate, asking whether Newsom felt like President Joe Biden was “holding him back” from pursuing a presidential run.
The regular “Fox & Friends: Weekend” host was on hand for the debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, when he ran into Newsom — whom many have speculated to be the Democratic Party’s logical choice if President Joe Biden opts out of the 2024 presidential election.
WATCH:
VIDEO – FNC’s Hegseth to Newsom: Is Biden Holding You Back from Running for President? https://t.co/BjNve1HhyN
— Grabien (@GrabienMedia) September 28, 2023
Hegseth started with a simple question, asking Newsom whether he would prefer to debate former President Donald Trump or Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL).
“Well, I think Ron … I think … Look, these guys didn’t lay a glove on Trump,” Newsom began, pivoting to use former Governor Nikki Haley’s (R-SC) words to attack DeSantis. “And Nikki Haley has a lot to say about Ron DeSantis lying about his executive order and his anti-fracking stance and his anti-oil drilling stance. But it was a nothing-burger, objectively, and I know I’m the spin guy and I know I’m a Democrat, but Biden won. I think it was a good night for Biden.”
Hegseth went on to ask Newsom directly, “Do you feel like Biden’s holding you back from running?”
“No. Are you kidding? I’m —” Newsom replied.
“I’m not kidding,” Hegseth interrupted.
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“— enthusiastically passionate about promoting the Biden, not only agenda, but the great implementation, which is his second term and having his back, character, decency,” Newsom continued. “And I’m an old-fashioned guy, I believe in a little loyalty.”
Newsom is reportedly set to square off with DeSantis in a debate moderated by Fox News host Sean Hannity — a debate that DeSantis says “Florida already won.”
“I think it’s an important debate for the country. Not like saying who’s better, Florida or California, because that debate is over because people have voted with their feet. They’ve left California and come to Florida, not the other way around,” DeSantis said.