As speculation grows about a possible 2028 presidential run, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2007 affair with Ruby Rippey Gibney — wife of his close friend and chief of staff Alex Tourk — has resurfaced. The scandal shocked San Francisco, strained relationships, and dominated news coverage, though Newsom weathered the fallout and later became governor.
Gibney, a subordinate at the time, has defended Newsom, saying the responsibility was her own. Critics argue the episode could resurface if he seeks national office. Meanwhile, Newsom recently drew controversy for threatening violence against political opponents during a podcast, further fueling scrutiny of his record and temperament.
