California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a pointed attack on President Donald Trump’s mental fitness, igniting a fiery debate about the president’s capacity to lead. As tensions escalate over federal troop deployments in Los Angeles amidst anti-deportation protests, Newsom’s strategy marks a significant shift in the political landscape. But is it a genuine concern, a calculated political maneuver, or both?
The “He’s Lost It” Accusation
In a recent interview with Fox LA, Newsom didn’t mince words. He asserted that Trump “is not the same person that I dealt with just four years ago, and he’s incapable of even a train of thought. He’s lost it.” This wasn’t a one-off comment. Newsom has repeatedly questioned Trump’s mental acuity, citing instances of the President’s apparent confusion and verbal missteps.
Newsom’s concerns appear to stem from direct interactions with Trump. On “The Daily” podcast, Newsom recounted conflicting accounts of their conversations regarding the National Guard deployment. He accused Trump of “fabricating parts of their conversation,” leading Newsom to believe that Trump “maybe…actually believed he said those things,” adding, “He’s not all there.”
A Pattern of Criticism
Newsom’s critique extends beyond mental fitness, touching on Trump’s physical state as well. He subtly mocked Trump’s stumble on the steps of Air Force One, a visual moment that quickly circulated online. This multi-pronged approach—attacking both mental and physical capabilities—echoes tactics previously employed by Trump and his supporters against President Joe Biden.
Furthermore, Newsom has taken to social media to amplify his message. After Trump claimed to have spoken with Newsom “a day ago” when the call actually occurred days earlier, Newsom posted on X, “Trump doesn’t even know what day it is.”
The Political Backdrop: Protests and Federal Intervention
The context for Newsom’s escalated rhetoric is crucial. Anti-deportation protests in Los Angeles have created friction between California and the federal government, particularly regarding the deployment of the National Guard.
Newsom filed an emergency request in federal court to block the Trump administration from utilizing the National Guard and Marines for immigration raids in Los Angeles. He has also criticized Trump’s decision to send troops to Los Angeles without adequate provisions, such as food, water, and sleeping arrangements.
Trump, in turn, has lashed out at Newsom, reviving his old nickname “Gavin Newscum” and accusing him of losing control of the situation in Los Angeles. He also claimed that Newsom had caused deaths in the LA region, despite no deaths occurring during the protests.
Echoes of Past Attacks
The focus on a political opponent’s mental fitness is not new. Trump and his allies relentlessly attacked Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities during the 2024 campaign and the early months of Trump’s second administration. Videos of Biden’s stumbles or verbal gaffes were frequently circulated to paint a picture of decline.
Now, Newsom is employing a similar strategy against Trump, using age, speech, and perceived memory lapses as ammunition. This raises questions about the ethics and effectiveness of such tactics in political discourse.
Newsom’s Ambitions: A 2028 Preview?
Political analysts are closely watching Newsom’s moves, with many viewing them as a potential preview of a 2028 presidential campaign. By directly challenging Trump’s fitness for office, Newsom positions himself as a strong and assertive leader willing to take on the former president.
Newsom, considered a top contender for the 2028 presidential race, may be using these attacks to solidify his image and appeal to voters concerned about Trump’s age and mental state. However, this strategy carries risks. It could be perceived as opportunistic or could backfire if voters see it as an unfair or overly aggressive tactic.
Expert Opinions and Public Reaction
The reactions to Newsom’s accusations have been varied. Some observers express genuine concern about Trump’s well-being, pointing to his age (79 on June 14th) and recent public appearances as evidence of decline. Others dismiss Newsom’s claims as purely political, arguing that he is simply trying to score points against a rival.
White House communications director Steven Cheung has already responded to Newsom’s attacks, accusing him of lying about Joe Biden’s decline during the last election. Cheung stated, “Gavin Newsom will never be president, even as he tries to peddle these lies.”
Analyzing the Claims: Fact vs. Opinion
It’s important to dissect Newsom’s claims and separate factual observations from subjective interpretations. Trump’s age is an undeniable fact, and his occasional verbal stumbles are publicly documented. However, whether these instances indicate a broader cognitive decline is a matter of debate and medical opinion.
Newsom’s accusations about Trump “making things up” during their conversations are more difficult to verify. These claims rely on Newsom’s account of private discussions, which are inherently subject to interpretation and potential bias.
The Broader Implications for Political Discourse
Newsom’s attack on Trump’s mental fitness raises important questions about the role of age and health in political leadership. While voters have a right to be informed about a candidate’s capabilities, personal attacks can distract from substantive policy debates.
Focusing on mental fitness also opens a Pandora’s Box, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of all candidates’ cognitive abilities, regardless of age. This could involve calls for medical evaluations or the release of health records, further blurring the lines between public interest and privacy.
The Future of the Feud
The clash between Newsom and Trump is unlikely to subside anytime soon. As the 2028 election cycle approaches, expect both figures to continue using each other as foils, sharpening their messages and vying for national attention.
Whether Newsom’s strategy of questioning Trump’s mental fitness will prove effective remains to be seen. However, it has undoubtedly injected a new and contentious element into the political arena.
Key Takeaways
- Newsom’s Attack: California Governor Gavin Newsom has directly attacked President Donald Trump’s mental fitness, claiming “he’s lost it.”
- Context: This attack comes amid tensions over federal troop deployments in Los Angeles and anti-deportation protests.
- Echoes of the Past: The strategy mirrors past attacks on Joe Biden’s mental acuity by Trump and his allies.
- Political Ambitions: Newsom is widely seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender, making this a potentially strategic move.
- Implications: The focus on mental fitness raises broader questions about age, health, and political discourse.
A Summary of Newsom’s specific allegations
- Inability to form a “train of thought”: Newsom stated Trump is incapable of coherent thinking, based on his observations in recent interactions.
- Fabricating conversations: Newsom accused Trump of misrepresenting their discussions about the National Guard deployment and “making things up”.
- Confusion over dates: Newsom pointed out Trump’s misstatement of when they last spoke, using it as evidence of cognitive decline.
- Physical stumbles: Newsom subtly mocked Trump’s stumble on the steps of Air Force One, suggesting physical decline.
Trump’s Rebuttals and Counter-Attacks
- “Gavin Newscum”: Trump revived his derogatory nickname for Newsom, using it to diminish his credibility.
- Accusations of Incompetence: Trump claimed Newsom had “lost control” of the situation in Los Angeles.
- False claims of deaths: Trump falsely asserted that Newsom had caused deaths in the LA region.
- Screenshot of Call: Trump provided Fox News with a screenshot of a call with Newsom to refute claims that they hadn’t spoken recently, but the date on the call was questioned.
The feud between Newsom and Trump highlights the increasingly personal and often brutal nature of modern politics. By questioning Trump’s mental fitness, Newsom has taken a significant risk, but also potentially opened a new avenue for political debate and positioning himself for future ambitions. The coming months will reveal whether this gamble pays off or backfires.
