Gavin Newsom leads new Democratic strategy to cast doubt on Trump’s mental fitness: 'He's not all there'

Gavin Newsom recently appeared to launch an effort to flip the narrative Republicans had used against Joe Biden, now directing it at Donald Trump
California Governor Gavin Newsom cast doubt on President Donald Trump's mental acuity during his appearance on 'The Times' podcast (Getty Images)
California Governor Gavin Newsom cast doubt on President Donald Trump's mental acuity during his appearance on 'The Times' podcast (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a sharp new offensive against President Donald Trump, suggesting the commander-in-chief may be mentally unfit for office.

The accusation comes on the heels of Newsom’s high-profile $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News. The governor claims the network deliberately aired a misleading video to paint him as a liar over a phone call with Trump during the Los Angeles riots.

Newsom appeared to point to Trump's claims about the phone call as evidence that the commander-in-chief is experiencing the kind of cognitive decline Republicans once used against former president Joe Biden. 



 

Gavin Newsom talks about Donald Trump's misrepresenting their conversations

Critics have increasingly pointed to Donald Trump’s growing number of public missteps, labeling them as “senior moments,” as per the Daily Mail. 

He has stumbled while climbing the stairs of Air Force One, confused the UK with the EU during a G7 summit with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and misremembered conversations, including one with Newsom.

Trump turned 79 earlier this month, setting him on course to become the oldest US president in history by the time he leaves office, surpassing Biden. Spotting an opportunity, Newsom launched an effort to flip the age and cognition narrative Republicans previously used against Biden, now aiming it at Trump.

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference at Raleigh Studios unveiling a vast expansion of California’s Film and Television Credit Program on October 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a proposal which would expand the program to $750 million annually, a major increase from the $330 million currently allocated, amid sluggish film and TV productions in Hollywood and across California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference at Raleigh Studios unveiling a vast expansion of California’s Film and Television Credit Program on October 27, 2024, in Los Angeles, California (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The controversy erupted during a dispute over Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to quell the intensifying anti-ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles.

Newsom accused Trump of distorting their June 6 phone call, alleging that the presdient either fabricated the details or truly believes events that never occurred, a charge that raises serious questions about Trump’s mental clarity.

“Which, I mean, honestly, starts to disturb me on a different level, that maybe he actually believed he said those things,” Newsom said during a June 12 interview on The New York Times' 'The Daily' podcast. “And he’s not all there.”

When asked to clarify his comments, podcast host Michael Barbaro repeated Newsom’s remark: “He’s not all there?”

“I don’t know,” Newsom replied, then elaborated. He claimed that Trump insisted they had another conversation following his decision to deploy US Marines to Los Angeles, a conversation Newsom says never took place.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference following the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands. Among other matters, members are to approve a new defense investment plan that raises the target for defense spending to 5% of GDP. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference following the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025, in The Hague, Netherlands (Omar Havana/Getty Images)

The conflict escalated when Newsom filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News, claiming the network deliberately edited video footage to support Trump’s version of events. The Democrat maintains that he’s telling the truth and argues that the manipulated coverage spread false claims about the call.

Gavin Newsom claims he had a 'mysterious conversation' with Donald Trump

Speaking at a press conference on June 12, Gavin Newsom reiterated that his last actual conversation with Donald Trump had taken place on June 6.



 

“He had a mysterious conversation with me three days later,” Newsom said, with evident disbelief. “You can’t even make this stuff up,” he added, as per the Daily Mail. 

When a reporter asked if he had a readout of the June 6 call, Newsom declined to share it publicly.

“Oh, I would love to share the readout, but I revere the office of presidency, so I'll keep it in confidence,” he explained.

Still, Newsom didn’t hold back in his criticism. “He has quite literally made up components of that conversation, he has been a stone-cold liar about what he said we talked about. He never discussed the National Guard. Period full-stop,” the California governor stated.

“I would love to share with you what he actually talked about. It would send shivers up your spine,” Newsom concluded. 

Internet slams Gavin Newsom as he says Donald Trump is 'not all there'

California Governor Gavin Newsom looks on before speaking at East Los Angeles College on February 26, 2025 in Monterey Park, California. Newsom announced the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint along with additional funding for Los Angeles communities impacted by wildfires today. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
California Governor Gavin Newsom looks on before speaking at East Los Angeles College on February 26, 2025 (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

After Gavin Newsom’s apparent new offensive strategy targeting Donald Trump’s public missteps surfaced online, it sparked backlash against the California governor.

One user criticized the Democrat, writing, “It is such a strange thing how Newsom complains about the problems in his own state as if someone other than himself was responsible. He is so political that he can’t even attempt to fix problems in his own state. He is absolutely useless.”

Another said, “Desperation at the highest level can’t wait for gavin’s exit from CA.”

A person claimed, “Gavin spends his time doing ANYTHING but his job,” while someone else added, “You are a loser Gavin, admit it. You are a loser.”

“Trump took tests and Biden refused! Everyone trips now and then!” an individual claimed, whereas one more said, “This guy take oleaginous to a new level. Very creepy.”

One quipped, “HEY GAVIN Trump has a huge record of achievements.”

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online. 

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