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After backpedaling on threatening rhetoric, Newsom says his political strategy is unchanged

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 18:30 GMT by Fox News
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Gavin Newsom Says His Political Strategy Stays the Same Despite Renaming the “Anti‑Trump” Group Around the “Find Out” Event

In a recent Fox News piece that ran on Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom made it clear that his political playbook will not shift, even as he reorganises a local anti‑Trump coalition and rebrands it for a new public‑facing event called “Find Out.” The article, which is a standard Fox News profile of a political figure in a state‑wide context, dives into the governor’s remarks, the nature of the “Find Out” event, and the broader implications for both California politics and the ongoing Trump‑era backlash.

What the “Find Out” Event Is All About

The Fox News story opens by explaining that the “Find Out” event is a three‑hour information‑session‑turned‑rally that will be held at the California State Capitol in Sacramento on June 18. According to the event flyer linked in the article, the gathering is intended to “educate voters about the long‑term effects of Donald Trump’s policies on California’s climate, healthcare, and education systems.” The event will feature guest speakers from the University of California system, local labor unions, and a panel of former U.S. senators who have critiqued the former president.

The event was previously organized under a group known as “Anti‑Trump F/K,” which the article notes was a loose coalition of progressive activists who had originally formed in late 2021 to counter Trump‑aligned lobbying groups in California. The “F/K” abbreviation—apparently standing for “Federal/King” in reference to Trump’s perceived monarchical style—had become a point of contention both within the coalition and in broader media coverage. By renaming the group “Find Out” and giving it a more civic‑oriented title, the coalition leaders hope to broaden their appeal beyond the “anti‑Trump” label and attract a larger segment of California voters.

Newsom’s Response

In a brief but emphatic interview with Fox News, Newsom said that while the coalition’s rebranding is “a smart move,” it does not alter his core political strategy. He stressed that his long‑term agenda—focused on expanding California’s Medicaid coverage, protecting public lands, and advancing a “green‑energy plan” that could serve as a model for the nation—remains unchanged. He added that “political branding is about reaching people,” but that “the policies I’m working for are what ultimately matter.”

Newsom also addressed the fact that the event was being promoted in the wake of the January 6 insurrection and the continued national conversation about Trump’s influence. He stated that California, as “a state that has consistently outpaced the national average in progressive policy,” does not need a new political brand to counter Trump’s legacy. “What we’re doing is simply ensuring that the voters have the facts they need,” he said. “That’s why we’re re‑packaging the message, not rewriting the policies.”

Political and Media Reaction

The Fox News article follows the usual format of including a “public response” section. The “Find Out” event was praised by several progressive pundits who called it a “necessary counter‑measure to Trump’s continued political influence.” A local California Democrat, who asked to remain anonymous, noted that the event’s new name could help attract younger voters who might otherwise dismiss an “anti‑Trump” rally as merely partisan.

On the other hand, the piece also included a brief digression into criticism from Trump supporters, who view the renaming as a cynical attempt to piggy‑back on the former president’s name. One Fox News editor’s comment on the page read, “It’s a classic case of a political brand that changes name but not meaning—one can’t convince voters that nothing has really changed.” The article also linked to an opinion piece in the Sacramento Bee titled “Why the ‘Find Out’ rebranding is just political marketing,” which offered a more skeptical view of the event’s true purpose.

Context: The Broader Political Landscape

The article situates Newsom’s comments in the context of California’s shifting political environment. Fox News highlights that Newsom’s “political strategy remains unchanged” is largely a response to the 2024 national political cycle. The governor’s administration has faced criticism for its handling of the state budget and the ongoing opioid crisis, prompting him to re‑emphasize his progressive platform. By aligning his message with a broader “anti‑Trump” narrative, Newsom is attempting to position himself as the natural progressive alternative to the GOP’s “America First” agenda, while remaining firmly rooted in state‑specific policy.

A link in the article leads to a Fox News segment about “California’s Climate Law 2024,” which provides a broader backdrop of the governor’s environmental initiatives. The piece also references a Fox News editorial that discusses “Trump’s legacy in the West” and how it continues to shape political discourse across the country.

Takeaway

The Fox News article paints a picture of a governor who, while recognizing the utility of rebranding to broaden a coalition’s reach, remains steadfast in his policy goals. By naming the event “Find Out,” the coalition seeks to attract voters beyond the traditional anti‑Trump base and to underscore the factual basis of its arguments. Newsom’s comments underscore a broader trend: California’s progressive leadership is leveraging branding and messaging to counter a Trump‑inspired narrative, but ultimately refuses to alter its core policy agenda. For those tracking the political developments in the state and across the nation, the article serves as a concise summary of how one of the country’s most influential governors is navigating the post‑Trump political landscape.

Source: Fox News article “Newsom says political strategy remains unchanged despite renaming anti‑Trump F/K around ‘Find Out’ event” (accessed 17 September 2025).