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“I’m also sorry that I’ve let the people of San Francisco down,” he said. “They expect a lot of their mayor… I am committed to restoring their trust and confidence and will work very hard in the upcoming months to make sure that the business of running the city is framed appropriately.”
The political consequences were swift. Tourk resigned from his role as chief of staff, effectively ending both a personal friendship and a professional partnership that had helped propel Newsom into office.
News coverage exploded. Late night comedians mocked the mayor relentlessly. Political opponents seized the moment to argue that Newsom’s private behavior reflected a broader lack of discipline and integrity.
For many voters, the scandal became a defining chapter of Newsom’s early career. Critics argued that it revealed a pattern of entitlement and recklessness that contradicted the image he tried to project.
Despite the damage, Newsom survived. He rebuilt his political standing, climbed higher in Democratic Party ranks, and eventually became governor of California. But while the headlines faded, the controversy never fully disappeared.
In the era of the #MeToo movement, the affair has taken on renewed significance. Some observers have questioned whether the relationship could now be viewed as workplace misconduct, given that Gibney worked within Newsom’s administration at the time.
Gibney herself has publicly rejected that interpretation.
“To be clear, I fully support the Me Too movement,” she wrote on Facebook several years later. “In this particular instance, however, I am doubtful that it applies.”
She acknowledged being a subordinate but emphasized personal responsibility for her choices, pushing back on claims that Newsom abused his position.
Still, the episode continues to resurface whenever Newsom’s national ambitions gain traction. With Democrats searching for future standard bearers, Newsom is frequently mentioned as a potential contender. He is a skilled speaker, a prolific fundraiser, and a favorite of progressive donors.
But his past remains an open vulnerability.
That vulnerability has only grown in recent days as Newsom sparked fresh controversy with remarks that critics say appeared to endorse violence against supporters of President Donald Trump.
During an appearance on “The Siren” podcast, Newsom launched into a heated rant over Texas’ mid-decade redistricting effort, which could result in additional Republican congressional seats.
“This is radical rigging of a midterm election,” Newsom fumed. “Destroying, vandalizing this democracy, the rule of law,” he claimed.
He then escalated his rhetoric even further.
“So, I’m sorry, I know some people’s sensibilities. I respect and appreciate that. But right now, with all due respect, we’re walking down a damn different path,” he continued. “We’re fighting fire with fire, and we’re gonna punch these sons of b****es in the mouth.”
The remarks drew immediate backlash, particularly as Newsom floated retaliatory redistricting in California, despite Democrats already holding a disproportionate share of the state’s congressional seats.
For critics, the episode reinforced long standing concerns about Newsom’s temperament, judgment, and willingness to play political hardball.
As 2028 speculation grows, Newsom faces a familiar challenge. He must sell his record as governor while confronting a past scandal that refuses to stay buried and present day rhetoric that risks alienating voters beyond his base.
Whether Democratic voters are willing to overlook both remains an open question.
