California Governor Gavin Newsom repeatedly declined to say whether he ever doubted Joe Biden’s ability to serve another term during a Sunday appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, telling moderator Kristen Welker he “never had” such concerns based on his own interactions.
On the Nov. 2, 2025 broadcast of Meet the Press, California Governor Gavin Newsom faced pointed questions from moderator Kristen Welker about his support for former President Joe Biden’s bid for a second term during the 2024 campaign.
Welker noted Newsom’s loyalty even after Biden’s widely criticized June 2024 debate performance and amid calls from some Democrats for Biden to exit the race. Asked whether he had concerns about Biden’s capacity to serve another four years, Newsom replied, “I never had that,” adding that he intended to “dance with the one who brought him” and, “I just talked to the president a few hours ago. I’ve been privileged to have a relationship with the president.” (Daily Wire interview clip, Nov. 2, 2025.)
Pressed on whether he believed Biden could have served through January 2029, Newsom said his focus was “situational,” emphasizing his priority of preventing Donald Trump’s return to office and stating, “There was no interaction that I had that suggested otherwise.” (Daily Wire.)
When asked what he would say to Americans who feel misled about Biden’s mental acuity, Newsom responded, “Misled in what respect? He decided to step down,” and said he would not substitute others’ judgments for his own experience. He referenced late-term conversations with Biden, describing a “master class in foreign policy and domestic policy.” (Daily Wire.) For clarity, Biden stepped aside from the 2024 presidential race on July 21, 2024. (Reuters; CNBC.)
Newsom’s remarks came as Democrats have continued to wrestle with the fallout from Biden’s debate performance and subsequent decision not to seek re‑election. In the same interview, Newsom also indicated the debate had “gave all of us pause,” describing his concern as private at the time. (San Francisco Chronicle summary of the interview.)
The exchange underscored an ongoing split within the party between those who say leaders should have sounded alarms earlier and defenders like Newsom, who argue their personal interactions with Biden did not raise red flags and that they deferred to Biden’s decision-making about his candidacy.