Obama Reportedly Torches Newsom Over “Tent Cities” in Blunt Warning Ahead of 2028
Former President Barack Obama has reportedly delivered a stinging private rebuke to California Governor Gavin Newsom, warning the rising Democratic star that the state’s visible homelessness crisis could be a fatal political flaw heading into the 2028 presidential election cycle.
Sources familiar with the interaction say Obama “torched” Newsom over the persistence of encampments across the Golden State, offering a candid assessment of the electorate’s mood.
“The average voter doesn’t want to see tent cities everywhere… that’s a losing strategy,” Obama reportedly told Newsom.
The intervention from one of the party’s most influential elders signals growing anxiety within the Democratic establishment. While Newsom is widely seen as a top contender for the 2028 nomination, fears are mounting that California’s localized struggles could be weaponized on a national stage, branding the entire party as ineffective on public order and quality-of-life issues.
Deep Search: Why This Warning Matters Now
Political analysts suggest Obama’s specific focus on “tent cities” reflects a shift in voter priorities. Recent polling data indicates that while voters are sympathetic to the causes of homelessness, patience for visible disorder in public spaces has evaporated.
For Newsom, the timing is critical. As he pivots from state governance to building a national profile, his record is under a microscope. The “California model” he champions is facing skepticism not just from Republicans, but from moderate Democrats who worry that images of sprawling encampments in Los Angeles and San Francisco will alienate swing voters in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan. Obama’s warning underscores a strategic reality: a candidate cannot run on a platform of “future progress” if their own backyard appears ungovernable.
Background: The $24 Billion Struggle
The context of this critique is a staggering financial investment with mixed visible results. Since taking office, the Newsom administration has spent roughly $24 billion on homelessness and housing programs.
The “Homeless Czar”: Newsom famously declared himself the state’s “homeless czar” earlier in his tenure, directly tying his political brand to the issue.
Encampment Sweeps: Following a Supreme Court ruling clarifying local authority, Newsom issued executive orders urging state officials to dismantle encampments, resulting in the removal of over 19,000 sites.
The Numbers: Despite these efforts, California is home to roughly one-third of the nation’s entire homeless population. While the administration touted a recent 9% drop in unsheltered homelessness in early 2025, the sheer volume of individuals remaining on the streets keeps the crisis highly visible.
Objections: Newsom’s Defense
Governor Newsom’s camp strongly contests the narrative that the state has failed. Defenders of the Governor argue that the “tent city” critique ignores significant structural wins and shifts blame that belongs elsewhere.
Blaming Locals: Newsom has increasingly pointed the finger at city and county officials, accusing them of dragging their feet on utilizing state funds and enforcing public camping bans. “We are delivering the resources; they need to deliver the results,” is a common refrain from Sacramento.
Bucking the Trend: Supporters point out that while homelessness has surged nationally (up nearly 18% in some reports), California has managed to stabilize or slightly reduce its numbers in the last year, arguing that the state is actually outperforming the national trend under difficult circumstances.
Long-term Reforms: The administration cites the passage of Proposition 1 and new mental health courts (CARE Court) as generational reforms that will take time to show full visual impact.
The Stakes for 2028
The alleged bluntness of Obama’s comment—labeling the current situation a “losing strategy”—suggests that patience is running thin. If Newsom cannot produce a visible reduction in “tent cities” before the primary season heats up, he may find that his biggest opponent in 2028 is not a Republican rival, but the reality on the streets of his own state.
youtube.com
calmatters.org
currentaffairs.org
thecoli.com
