Newsom Counters Trump's 2028 Presidential Race Assertion in Real-Time Fact-Check
California Governor Gavin Newsom has delivered a swift and public fact-check to President Donald Trump, after the Republican leader falsely claimed on social media that his political adversary had abandoned plans to run for president in 2028. The exchange represents the latest escalation in their increasingly bitter and personal rivalry, which has seen Newsom emerge as one of Trump's most prominent and vocal critics.
Trump's Truth Social Post Sparks Immediate Rebuttal
President Trump took to his own platform, Truth Social, to make the unsubstantiated claim, employing a familiar derogatory nickname for the governor. "Wow! Gavin Newscum just dropped out of the Presidential Race!!! President DJT," Trump wrote. This post followed a social media jab from Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who commented on the U.S. women's hockey team's decision to decline a State of the Union invitation, stating, "Clearly they prefer arenas where women are actually respected. As they should."
Governor Newsom responded directly on X, mimicking Trump's distinctive online communication style for maximum impact. "WOW. THE PRESIDENT IS SUNDOWNING HARDER THAN USUAL TONIGHT!!! — GOVERNOR GCN," he wrote. The term "sundowning" refers to a phenomenon associated with dementia patients, characterized by late-afternoon mood swings, agitation, and sometimes hallucinations, as described by the Alzheimer's Society.
Escalating Personal Attacks and Health Speculation
This is not the first time Newsom has targeted Trump's health and mental acuity. Just days prior, the governor branded the president "Dozy Don" after Trump appeared to have drooping eyes during the inaugural meeting of The Board of Peace. Trump, who is 80 years old, has also been observed apparently drifting off to sleep during a White House meeting last year while Dr. Mehmet Oz discussed weight-loss drug manufacturer agreements with the administration.
"DOZY DON IS BACK," Newsom wrote at the time, accompanying the message with a photograph of Trump with his eyes closed. The president has consistently maintained that he is in excellent health, despite ongoing social media speculation fueled by observations of swollen ankles and bruised hands. The White House attributes these bruises to vigorous handshaking and the ankle swelling to chronic venous insufficiency.
Newsom's Aggressive Opposition Strategy
Newsom's confrontational approach, attacking Trump on everything from policy decisions to personal health matters, has solidified his position as a leading opponent of the current administration. Political analysts widely believe the California governor is actively assessing his prospects for a potential presidential run to succeed Trump. His strategy appears designed to position himself as a formidable Democratic contender through direct and public confrontation.
Competitive Democratic Nomination Landscape
Should Newsom decide to pursue the presidency, he would face significant competition within his own party. Former Vice President Kamala Harris is widely anticipated to launch another presidential campaign, having previously told the BBC, "I am not done," while ruling out replacing Newsom as California's governor. Progressive firebrand and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is also frequently discussed as a potential candidate for commander-in-chief.
Current polling often positions both Newsom and Harris as frontrunners for the Democratic nomination, setting the stage for a potentially contentious primary season. Newsom's real-time fact-checking and social media engagement with Trump demonstrate his willingness to engage directly with the president, a tactic that may resonate with Democratic voters seeking assertive opposition leadership.
