Newsom goes fishing with Jake Tapper, tells him he won't run in 2028 if Harris does

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and CNN host Jake Tapper.

In what is bound to be one of the more staged "news" segments that will be shown to viewers as the 2028 presidential race approaches, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and CNN host Jake Tapper are seen fly fishing in a river in Montana, and Newsom tells Tapper he won't run in 2028 if former vice president and 2024 also-ran Kamala Harris decides to take another shot at the White House. 

As the two are casting their lines, Tapper rattles off a list of potential 2028 hopefuls, noting that it's a crowded field for Democrats, particularly those from California. Tapper brought up the names Ro Khanna, the California Congressman, and Kamala Harris. Newsom agreed, and replied, "I don't know if she runs, but we'll see."

"I know she's called around," Tapper remarked, standing thigh-deep in the water.

"Yeah," said Newsom, "but I wouldn't run if she ran."

"If she runs, you will not?" a startled Tapper turned and asked?

"Of course not. Why would I," Newsom replied. "I wouldn't do that to her, I wouldn't do it to me -- I wouldn't do it to you. I wouldn't waste everyone's time."

The exchange turned awkward after Tapper remarked that what Newsom was saying didn't seem to make sense. Newsom went on to admit that he'd be able to make a case for taking her on given that she is a twice-failed presidential candidate. But he also seemed to indicate that the race would be too crowded with the two of them both in it, competing for similar bases of support.

Most recent polling has shown Harris as the early frontrunner among Democrat hopefuls for 2028, with one poll released last week showing she had a three-point lead over Newsom. Below, watch a clip of the exchange between Newsom and Tapper.