Newsom calls Trump an 'invasive species,' says he’s 'historically unpopular president' on key issues
Newsom: He is a historic president—a historically unpopular president. Underwater in every key category—I mean, you can’t even make this up; this is hard to do…
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 8, 2025
And he knows it. Why else did he feel the need to rig the election before even one vote was cast. That's just… pic.twitter.com/djSUfVnrk0
HOUSTON, TEXAS: At a rally in Houston on Saturday, November 8, California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized President Donald Trump, calling him “weakness masquerading as strength” while addressing broader redistricting efforts.
He spoke out against what he described as Trump-driven attempts to manipulate congressional maps in Republican-controlled states.
Texas became the first of several Republican-led states to act on Trump’s call to redraw their congressional districts before the 2026 midterm elections.
Gavin Newsom calls out Trump over redistricting
“We’re dealing with an invasive species by the name of Donald Trump,” Gavin Newsom told the crowd in Houston.
Calling out Trump for his policies, Newsom said, “On every issue on the economy, on immigration, on healthcare [he’s a] historically unpopular president, and he knows it. A historically unpopular president under every key category.”
Newsom accused Trump of urging Republican-led states, particularly Texas under Governor Greg Abbott, to redraw congressional districts to protect GOP majorities ahead of the 2026 midterms.
He asked the crowd, “Why else did he make the call to your governor?” referring to Trump’s alleged involvement in pushing Texas legislators toward a partisan map.
Newsom said the GOP’s map-drawing efforts amounted to an “affront to American democracy,” arguing that Democrats needed to respond aggressively.
He asserted that “California would not stand by while red states altered the rules to their advantage,” and he urged other Democratic-led states to adopt similar countermeasures.
At the Houston event, Newsom framed the moment as high stakes, telling attendees that there is “no more important race in our lifetime than taking back the House of Representatives.”
He tied the redistricting fight directly to the national battle for control of Congress, portraying Trump’s alleged map manipulation as central to the Republican strategy to retain the House.
Gavin Newsom rallies Texas Democrats for 2026 fight
In Houston, the rally drew hundreds of energized supporters and key Texas Democrats, including Representatives Jasmine Crockett and Lizzie Fletcher.
Newsom thanked local Democrats for inspiring California’s redistricting initiative, saying, “You woke us up. You didn’t just have your back here, you had our back in the state of California.”
The event followed the passage of California’s Proposition 50, which grants the state legislature authority to redraw congressional districts, a direct response to Republican-driven redistricting in Texas.
Opening his Houston speech with a pointed jab, Newsom said, “Eat your heart out, Gov. Abbott,” before shifting to calls for unity and renewed effort.
He urged Democrats nationwide to “wake up and fight back,” emphasizing that the 2026 midterms would be pivotal in determining the balance of power in Washington.
