Action sports pioneer says California dream ‘gone the wrong way’ under Newsom

FIRST ON FOX: An extreme sports star and entrepreneur is backing pro-law enforcement Republican candidate Chad Bianco for California governor after saying Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom killed the California “dream.”

“Before, people were coming to California to try to start their business and chase that dream. And now people are leaving California to chase the same dream,” said Brian Deegan, motocross star and founder of “Metal Mulisha.”

In an interview with Fox News Digital, motocross pioneer, off-road racing champion and X Games action sports icon Deegan said he felt compelled to support Bianco because of the damage he believes has been done to California by politicians such as Newsom.

He explained that he came to California “to pursue my dreams, to become a supercross action sports star.” [and] built a great empire within the action sports community. » But under Newsom, Deegan said he saw that dream “decline.”

NEWSOM CALLS HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY ‘POSTER CHILD’ FOR CALIFORNIA’S FAILINGS AS A STATE

Motocross star and “Metal Mulisha” founder Brian Deegan slammed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom for killing the California “dream.” (Courtesy Brian Deegan; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Deegan said that aside from what he describes as widespread over-regulation, one of the things he has found most alarming is the decline in safety in California neighborhoods due to non-enforcement of laws.

“A lot of places I’ve lived in California have really gone in a bad direction. And I’m like, man, I’m even afraid to see my kids really wandering the streets these days, because of how lax they are on the laws and how they let criminals get away with almost everything,” Deegan said.

And then there’s Newsom’s handling of the COVID pandemic, in which Deegan said California “has led the charge on the most extreme lockdowns.”

“Now we look back on it and we’re kind of like, ‘Man, what happened?’ he said. “Newsom was very bossy when he was partying, always living the high life, while everyone else was on lockdown.”

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California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at the New York Times DealBook 2025 Summit in New York, December 3, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

With Newsom’s term limited and rumors growing about a possible presidential run in 2028, Deegan said, “Go for it.”

“I think it will make it much easier for Republicans to hold that spot,” he remarked, adding: “It would be a tough road with Newsom running for president.”

Regardless of which direction Newsom takes, Deegan said, “It’s time for a man like Chad Bianco to take over California.” »

“I always wonder how the people who are in power, like Newsom, how do they get into power? Because they don’t really represent the everyday people who really make up the majority of California,” he said. “There has been so much damage. But it will take someone who understands the law, who is not going to bend, who has good family values, who can put the state back on track.”

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An athlete performs during a Red Bull freestyle motocross demonstration in Venice, Calif., Tuesday, May 7, 2013. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

“I wish things would go back to the way they were. I thought it was a land of opportunity. You came to California to realize dreams, and I feel like that’s become very narrow,” Deegan added.

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“I mean, you have everything here, and I feel like we just let the way this was handled go. And I think the majority of people in California want it back.”

A spokesperson for Newsom dismissed Deegan’s criticism, sending a one-word response to Fox News Digital asking, “Who?”