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By Andrew Stanton
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Gen Z right-wing influencers like Nick Fuentes have suggested they may not support Vice President JD Vance if he becomes the Republican presidential nominee in 2028 and have praised California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat.
Newsweek reached out to Vance’s office for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The 2028 election is years away, but talk about who could run for higher office has already begun. Vance is viewed as the frontrunner on the Republican side. The Democratic primary is likely to be more competitive if current polling stands, and Newsom is viewed as a leading candidate. He has cast himself as a staunch rival of the Trump administration.
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The right-wing movement in the United States remains divided about individuals like Fuentes. Many have denounced his influence and past remarks, many of which have been widely considered racist. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, for instance, described him as a "Hitler apologist, Nazi-loving, anti-American piece of refuse," during a recent Turning Point USA event.
But these right-wing influencers and streamers do have notable support among U.S. conservatives and could have some sway among voters in 2028.
What To Know
Clavicular, a 20-year-old streamer who was recently banned from the platform Kick after appearing to run over a person during a livestream on Christmas Eve while driving a Tesla Cybertruck, said during a recent interview with conservative commentator Michael Knowles that he believes Newsom would defeat Vance in a hypothetical match-up.
He said he views Vance as “subhuman.” When Knowles asked for clarification, the streamer, whose real name is Braden Peters, continued to make attacks at the vice president’s appearance while describing Newsom as a “chad.”
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In response, the streamer SNEAKO posted a video defending him, saying he would also not vote for Vance, and made racist attacks against Vance’s family. Some conservatives have launched racist attacks against second lady Usha Vance, the daughter of Indian immigrants.
Fuentes echoed similar sentiments regarding Vance and Newsom’s appearances in a post to X on Sunday.
“JD Vance = fat subhuman. Newsom mogs him to death I would vote for him 100x over just because he’s handsome. ‘NOOOOOO NOT LIKE THAT!!!! YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICAn!!’” Fuentes wrote.
Some members of the far-right “Groypers” have previously embraced Newsom.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Fuentes as a “white nationalist livestreamer who advocates pulling the Republican Party further to the extreme far-right end of the political spectrum” and an “outspoken admirer of fascists such as Mussolini.”
President Donald Trump famously met with Fuentes and rapper Kanye West, or Ye, in 2022, sparking backlash at the time.
Sneako posted a photo with Trump on X in 2023.
What People Are Saying
Podcaster Joe Rogan discussed Fuentes’ influence in the GOP last week: “Listen, he couldn’t have existed before, right? Ten, 20 years ago? Couldn’t have existed. Now, super popular. What’s 20 years from now look like? Maybe someone like that could win.”
Mia Bloom, a professor of communications at Georgia State University, told Newsweek in August: "Extremist movements cherry-pick what they like about a candidate. Their embrace of Newsom would be refuted by Governor Newsom.”
What Happens Next
The 2028 election remains years away; most candidates don’t announce presidential intentions until after the midterms. Contenders will spend the coming year or two deciding whether to run.
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