Gavin Newsom slammed as he vows to 'never turn' his back on Joe Biden amid shadow campaign rumors

SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN: California Gov Gavin Newsom pledged he would "never turn" his back on President Joe Biden amid heightened speculation that he would replace the president for the Democratic nomination.

Newsom vehemently rejected the claims of him running a "shadow campaign" to replace the 81-year-old while speaking to a group of supporters at the Van Buren Dems BBQ in South Haven, Michigan, on Thursday, July 4, according to the New York Post.

"I will never turn my back on President Biden," the governor declared. "I don't know a Democrat in my party that would do so. And especially after tonight, we have his back."

The president's lackluster debate show against Republican rival Donald Trump on June 27 led the Democratic Party into panic mode, with many coming forward, urging him to drop out of the re-election bid for a younger politician.

Besides Newsom, Vice President Harris and Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer's names were prominently speculated as possible replacements ahead of the Democratic National Convention in August. However, Biden remained firm on his decision to stay in the race.

Gavin Newsom reiterates his staunch support for Biden after debate debacle

Campaigning for Biden-Harris in the Wolverine State, the California Democrat admitted that the debate did not go as planned.

"I had a lot of talking points in mind, you may have noticed if you saw me, I didn't bring them with me. And that's to make the obvious point – things did not go as well as the campaign had hoped, and obviously did not go as well as President Biden had hoped," Newsom said to supporters.

He also ended the "shadow campaign" assumptions by privately meeting with Biden and other Democratic governors at the White House.

"It could have gone two or three hours," he said about the meeting. "And I mean this with absolute conviction. That was the Joe Biden I remember from two weeks ago. That was the Joe Biden that I remember from two years ago. That's the Joe Biden that I'm looking forward to reelecting as president of the United States."

Minnesota Gov Tim Walz, Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Gov Wes Moore, and New York Gov Kathy Hochul are were among the 20 governors who joined Newsom to meet the president to quash the declining confidence of the incumbent's re-election bid after the debate fiasco.

Newsom doubled down on his support to Biden, stating he was "going wherever" the administration asked him to and accomplishing "whatever task, large and small, because I believe in this man," and his "character."

Moreover, the California governor noted that he knew what Biden accomplished in his three and a half years as president and vouched for his capabilities, stating he had no "trepidations."

Internet blasts Gavin Newsom over his pledge to support Biden

Outraged at Newsom's vow to back Biden, netizens slammed him, demanding to stay in his home state.

"Stay in California," a user wrote.

"What the hell is doing out there?? Just have somebody in Michigan Ask him how much it would be to register their car in California. That’ll tell you everything you need to know of what’s going on out here," another remarked.

"He's the epitome of the sleazy car salesman/politician. A tourist from NZ was murdered in his state yesterday... What is he doing in Michigan if he isn't campaigning?" Asked a third user.

"He should be in California!" Read a fourth response.

"Guessing Gavin’s volunteering to replace Jill’s caregiver burnout. Sooner than later by the looks of things in the WH," another person said.

"Classic maneuver prior to being drafted," someone else chimed in.

"Do Michiganders care about a Californians opinion? Not me, that’s for sure," an individual said.

"Does Newsom ever do his real job...you know running California?" Asked another user.

Another commented, "Biden and Gavin are the two biggest liars in America."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.