Undercover Camera Exposes Gavin Newsom as He Praises Socialist Movement in Democrat Party

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing criticism from conservatives after newly released undercover footage showed him predicting that the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and its political priorities will become increasingly influential within the Democratic Party. The remarks, recorded earlier this month, have renewed questions about the party’s ideological direction and the growing influence of its progressive wing.

The footage was reportedly obtained by Townhall during an October 17 encounter involving Newsom and a reporter posing as a Democratic voter. During their conversation, the governor was asked whether the party should move away from establishment figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and embrace policies associated with democratic socialism. Newsom responded by suggesting that demands for sweeping political change would play a major role in shaping the party’s future.

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The reporter approached the subject from the perspective of a younger Democratic voter who wanted the party to adopt more progressive positions. Her question specifically referenced dissatisfaction with conventional Democratic leadership and growing interest in socialist-oriented policies.

Newsom appeared receptive to the argument that Democrats must pursue a more ambitious agenda. He predicted that the energy surrounding the Democratic Socialists of America would become a dominant force in the party’s political future.

The California governor also suggested that incremental reforms would no longer satisfy voters seeking fundamental changes to the country’s political and economic systems.

At one point, Newsom described the broader political structure as broken and argued that Democrats needed to rethink their approach to governing rather than simply preserve existing institutions.

His remarks included a prediction that the movement would become part of mainstream Democratic politics, signaling his belief that ideas once associated primarily with the party’s left wing could gain wider acceptance.

UNDERCOVER: GAVIN NEWSOM SAYS THE DSA IS "GOING TO BE DOMINANT" AND "MAINSTREAM" IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!

"The DSA, the energy and the desire and demand for bold change, not incremental change, is very much going to be dominant. I mean, that’s going to be a mainstream Democratic movement. Absolutely. No question about that."

That’s California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a likely 2028 presidential candidate, speaking to an undercover journalist while campaigning in New Hampshire.

Asked by a "younger voter" who said "we don’t want Kamala Harris, we want more democratic socialist policies":

"No one is arguing to manage the status quo and fail more efficiently."

"You can’t play in the margins anymore. The system’s broken. It’s completely unbalanced, and we can’t manage the decline. We have to completely reimagine."

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 26, 2026

The comments quickly attracted attention among conservatives, who have repeatedly warned that socialist activists are gaining influence over Democratic candidates, policies, and campaign strategies.

Republican California gubernatorial nominee Steve Hilton was among those who criticized Newsom following the video’s release. Hilton accused the governor of failing to deliver meaningful results for California residents during his time in office.

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt also condemned Newsom’s comments, arguing that the governor was embracing more radical political positions as Democrats considered potential candidates for the 2028 presidential election.

Pratt suggested that Newsom’s apparent openness to the socialist movement reflected political calculations rather than a genuine commitment to its principles.

The controversy comes as the Democratic Socialists of America continues to attract attention for its positions on economic inequality, housing, labor protections, health care, and the role of government in American society.

The organization advocates an economic and political agenda significantly further to the left than the traditional Democratic establishment. Its supporters generally favor expanding public services, strengthening organized labor, and reducing the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations.

Critics argue that the movement’s proposals would dramatically expand government authority, increase public spending, and weaken free-market economic policies.

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Newsom has previously expressed sympathy for certain priorities associated with democratic socialism. During a September appearance on PBS NewsHour, he was asked whether policies promoted by progressive candidates should receive greater consideration within the Democratic Party.

In response, Newsom suggested that Democrats already shared several of those priorities. He specifically pointed to efforts to reduce the influence of money in politics, an issue he said he had supported for many years.

The latest controversy also follows warnings from a former Democratic Socialists of America leader who publicly criticized the organization’s direction in September, describing aspects of its ideology as “frightening” and “extreme.”

Although Newsom’s comments indicate that he expects democratic socialist ideas to gain influence, they do not establish that he has formally joined or endorsed every position of the DSA. Nevertheless, the footage has intensified an ongoing political debate over whether the Democratic Party is moving further left as it prepares for future national elections.