California governor Gavin Newsom has sounded a sharp alarm, warning that Donald Trump is not joking about running for a third presidential term in open defiance of the U.S. constitution. Speaking during a Politico summit in Sacramento, Newsom said Americans must “wake up” to Trump’s disregard for democratic norms. He revealed fresh details of private Oval Office conversations and cited Trump’s actions as proof that his threats should be taken seriously.
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Newsom Issues Stark Warning
In his remarks, Newsom stressed that Trump has no intention of respecting democratic traditions. “I don’t think Donald Trump wants another election,” he said. “This guy doesn’t believe in free, fair elections.” The governor noted that Trump’s supporters had even sent him “Trump 2028” hats, which he displayed to the audience as evidence that talk of another term was not satire.
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Oval Office Revelation
Newsom disclosed that Trump had personally raised the subject of a third term during a February meeting in the Oval Office. The California governor was in Washington at the time to seek federal disaster aid after deadly wildfires. According to him, Trump pointed to a portrait of Franklin D Roosevelt, the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms, and launched into a lengthy reflection on extending his own presidency.
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Extravagant White House Plans
The governor mocked Trump’s controversial project to construct a 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom with lavish gold trim. Comparing it to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago ballroom, Newsom asked: “Who spends $200m on a ballroom at their home and then leaves the house?” He argued that such behavior underscored Trump’s intentions to remain in power indefinitely. “The rule of law is being replaced by the rule of Don,” he warned.
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Historical Parallels Cited
Trump has long alluded to Franklin Roosevelt’s four terms in office, suggesting the 22nd Amendment could be bypassed. While the constitution strictly prohibits more than two terms, Trump has floated the idea repeatedly, sometimes dismissing it as hypothetical, other times insisting his strong poll numbers made a third run appealing. “I’d like to run,” Trump said earlier this month, despite previously stating he would not.
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Democracy Under Threat
Newsom reminded audiences that Trump had already tried to cling to power in 2020 by spreading false claims of election fraud. That campaign ultimately fueled the January 6 attack on the Capitol. “Apparently there are no rules any more,” Newsom remarked, explaining why he chose to share private presidential conversations despite protocol. He also accused Trump of promoting a “crypto grift,” noting the president’s dismissive comments about digital meme coins.
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Political Countermoves In California
The governor urged Democrats to “fight fire with fire” against Trump’s maneuvers. In California, he is backing a ballot measure that would temporarily override the state’s independent redistricting commission, giving Democrats an edge in five Republican-held congressional districts. Newsom framed it as a direct response to Trump’s push for gerrymandering in Texas that could otherwise secure additional Republican seats.
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Escalating Political Clash
Trump, in turn, has struck back at Newsom, calling him a “nice guy” who “looks good” but also “incompetent.” Yet Newsom insisted his confrontational style was necessary to wake up the country. “We’re losing this country in real time,” he told the audience. “This is not bloviation, this is not exaggeration.”