Gavin Newsom calls Trump ‘weak, weak president’ and attacks tariffs for harming Americans
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered sharp criticism of President Donald Trump, calling him a “weak, weak president” and warning that his economic policies, particularly on tariffs, are harming Americans and eroding global confidence.
Speaking in response to Trump’s latest proposal for a 10% global tariff, Newsom framed the move as a last-ditch effort in what he described as a “desperate and regressive economic agenda.” He argued that such policies disproportionately hurt working Americans and small businesses.
Newsom labels Trump ‘weak,’ warns global confidence is falling
“These, you know, he’s a weak, weak president,” Newsom said, adding that this weakness “is now on display globally.” He suggested the president’s aggressive tariff push reflects mounting political and legal pressures, claiming, “The only card he had left was these tariffs, and that’s exactly why he was so aggressive today—because he knows it. He’s got nothing else going on.”
Newsom: He’s a weak, weak president — and that weakness is now on display globally. The only card he had left was these tariffs, and that’s exactly why he was so aggressive today — because he knows it. He’s got nothing else going on.
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 21, 2026
His entire economic policy has been mass… pic.twitter.com/C8UmxCAF2m
According to Newsom, international relationships are strained under Trump’s approach. “The rest of the world is starting to turn against Trump and Trumpism,” he said, signaling growing global skepticism about US leadership under the president.
Criticism of economic policies and immigration link
Newsom also linked Trump’s trade strategy to his broader economic agenda, which he described as centered on “mass deportations.” “His entire economic policy has been mass deportations. That’s beginning to unravel,” he said, pointing to cities like Minneapolis where enforcement policies are facing pushback. He framed both trade and immigration policies as disruptive and economically damaging.
Accusations of ‘self-dealing’ tied to trade moves
Beyond policy disputes, Newsom accused Trump of “self-dealing” and “crony capitalism” in the administration’s trade negotiations. “This great self-dealing, this crony capitalism, we’re seeing around the globe,” Newsom said, linking it to ongoing legal scrutiny and Supreme Court developments.
He added that courts and public opinion could pressure Congress to check executive power. “The courts and I hope the court of public opinion is finally catching up… to put pressure on the other branch of government to step up and do their job,” Newsom said, forecasting political consequences if lawmakers fail to act.
Newsom: This is a wrecking-ball president, and his imperial presidency is about to come to an end. This is the last gasp of a desperate man. That was advanced today rhetorically — and then substantively — with his effort to impose a global 10% tax, another regressive tax on… pic.twitter.com/ni3Uzi1uer
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 21, 2026
Predicting change in the coming months, Newsom warned that elected officials risk losing their positions if they don’t assert oversight. “They’re all gonna be out of work, in nine months. This is a wrecking-ball president, and his imperial presidency is about to come to an end,” he said.