Gavin Newsom claims Joe Biden is ‘one of the most successful presidents in last century’

Before his praise for Joe Biden, Gavin Newsom criticized the Democratic Party for failing to respond effectively to Donald Trump’s political rise
PUBLISHED OCT 30, 2025
In an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, Gavin Newsom strongly defended Joe Biden’s record (Anna Moneymaker, Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
In an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, Gavin Newsom strongly defended Joe Biden’s record (Anna Moneymaker, Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)


SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom has claimed that former President Joe Biden will be remembered in history as "one of the most successful presidents in the last century."

Newsom made these remarks in an interview where he also criticized the Democratic Party's inefficiencies in countering President Donald Trump's political agenda.

MATHER, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (R) looks on as U.S. President Joe B
California Gov Gavin Newsom (R) looks on as former President Joe Biden delivers remarks to reporters after doing a helicopter tour of the Caldor Fire, at Mather Airport on September 13, 2021 in Mather, California. Biden toured the wildfire-damaged area near Sacramento with Newsom before heading to Los Angeles to participate in a No on Recall campaign event (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Gavin Newsom gives an analysis on Joe Biden

In an interview with ABC News' Chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, the governor gave a strong defense of the previous administration's achievements. 

He specifically pointed to a number of significant legislative wins, which he feels cement former President Biden's legacy. 

Newsom said, “I would argue — of our former president who I think was one of the most successful presidents in the last century, and that is Joe Biden, and I will defend that to my grave.” 

U.S. President Joe Biden walks out of the Oval Office to speak about the results of the 2024 election in the Rose Garden on November 07, 2024 in Washington, DC. Former President Donald Trump defeated Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden pledged to work with the Trump team to ensure a smooth transition and invited the former President for an Oval Office meeting. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Former President Joe Biden walks out of the Oval Office to speak about the results of the 2024 election in the Rose Garden on November 07, 2024 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

He then went on to highlight those achievements, observing, “In terms of the CHIPS and Science Act, the infrastructure bill, the work he did on the IRA, the fact that he had a worker-centered industrial policy, and the fact that those are the right policies for this country.” 

When Karl asked whether these would stand up against a possible transfer of power, Newsom admitted that some could be reversed but insisted, "A lot of them, but not — well, many aspects are being celebrated by the Trump administration as his."

California Governor Gavin Newsom voiced concern over Donald Trump’s remarks about a possible third term during his interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl (ABC News/YouTube)
California Governor Gavin Newsom voiced concern over Donald Trump’s remarks about a possible third term during his interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl (ABC News/YouTube)

Gavin Newsom describes Democratic Party's core error

Before he praised Biden, Newsom described what he sees as a core strategic error by the Democratic Party in responding to President Donald Trump. 

Newsom defined Trump's behavior as a broad attack on American institutions, asserting that this demands a more forceful response than the Democrats have presented.

Newsom cautioned, "It’s a revolution that’s going on in this country, and I think you have to start using those words. He’s attacking every single institution of independent thinking, and he’s succeeding because we’re still playing by the old set of rules.”

U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he delivers remarks during the APEC CEO Summit at the Gyeongju Arts Center on October 29, 2025 in Gyeongju, South Korea. Trump is in South Korea for the APEC meetings, following an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and a trip to Japan, where he called on Japanese Emperor Naruhito and new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump reacts as he delivers remarks during the APEC CEO Summit at the Gyeongju Arts Center on October 29, 2025 in Gyeongju, South Korea. Trump is in South Korea for the APEC meetings, following an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and a trip to Japan, where he called on Japanese Emperor Naruhito and new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Gavin Newsom demands for dramatic shift for Strategic Democratic Realignment

Governor Newsom demanded a dramatic shift in the way that the Democratic Party presents its message and approaches the politics of today. He emphasized that the party needs to first and foremost understand the character of the "revolution" that is currently taking place. 

President Joe Biden speaks onstage at the Grand Opening Ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center hosted by Pride Live at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center on June 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, a Program of Pride Live)
Former President Joe Biden speaks onstage at the Grand Opening Ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center hosted by Pride Live at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center on June 28, 2024 in New York City (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, a Program of Pride Live)

After that establishment, he believed that the party can then strive to become “more culturally normal, more reform-oriented, talk about service and patriotism, and we’ll continue to build on the legacy,” while also continuing to build on the legacy of the Biden administration. 

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