California Governor Gavin Newsom made an unconventional choice Tuesday afternoon to sign one of his final legislative bills atop the Golden Gate Bridge, foregoing his usual Sacramento office for a highly visible and physically demanding setting.
Clad in a white safety helmet, harness, aviator sunglasses, and casual attire including black sneakers, Newsom ascended the bridge’s iconic south tower on the San Francisco side by climbing the large red cable leading to the observation platform. Accompanied by one security guard and three bridge maintenance workers, the governor carefully negotiated the cable’s rungs, pausing occasionally to rest. Upon reaching the summit 746 feet above the water, he expressed relief at the exertion, describing the climb as a “legit workout.”
The governor’s ascent was part of the ceremonial signing of a $7.5 billion bond measure that will appear on the March 2028 ballot, aimed at funding scientific research in California. The bill marked the final piece of legislation Newsom planned to complete before his departure from office in early January. Though the timing of the climb was notable, the legislation itself bore no direct connection to the bridge.
In comments made during the event, Newsom seized the opportunity to critique then-President Donald Trump’s approach to research funding, asserting that while Trump was “doubling down on stupid,” California was “doubling down on the future.” The bond measure, he said, would replace billions in federal research funding cuts enacted by the Trump administration.
Newsom’s dramatic signing diverged from more routine political announcements and continued his tendency to seek attention through bold gestures. In recent years, his public profile has included podcast appearances with controversial figures, strategic campaign billboards, and appearances in unexpected settings, such as a fly-fishing interview in Montana.
The governor’s office arranged to keep his climb under wraps until after the bill was formally submitted to the secretary of state late Wednesday, restricting media coverage of his ascent in part to discourage unauthorized attempts to mimic the stunt.
Newsom, who previously climbed the Golden Gate Bridge during his tenure as lieutenant governor and also has ascended the Bay Bridge cables, chose to descend the tower by climbing down rather than using the elevator available.
At the summit, State Senator Scott Wiener, who authored the bond bill, joined Newsom shortly after arriving by elevator. The two shared a lighthearted exchange about the governor’s climb but Newsom refrained from endorsing Wiener in his congressional race to succeed Representative Nancy Pelosi, who supports a different candidate.
Despite its symbolic nature, the climb also highlighted the condition of the Golden Gate Bridge. The south tower, exposed to the elements, shows signs of wear and rust, a contrast to the more protected north tower. Maintenance crews conduct restorative work as part of a six-year seismic retrofit project, including repainting areas where the iconic International Orange paint has deteriorated.
As Newsom concluded his appearance and prepared to leave, he again donned his safety gear to carefully climb back down the tower, completing a striking farewell to his time as California’s governor. When asked about 2028 presidential ambitions, Newsom laughed and offered only, “We’ll see what fate brings,” before shifting the conversation.