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Newsom calls Trump 'weakness masquerading as strength'

By Lauren Sforza - 2/25/24, 10:02 AM EST

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) labeled former President Trump as "weakness masquerading as strength" in an interview that aired Sunday.

NBC's Kristen Welker pressed Newsom in an interview on "Meet the Press" whether Democrats were underestimating Trump as he faces a likely rematch with President Biden next November. He said that Democrats were not underestimating Trump and slammed him for recent comments made at his political rallies last week.

"Well, I think he's weakness masquerading as strength. I — I think he's more unhinged. He's more — he’s less interesting than he was even a few years ago. I mean, you've heard his comments just this week. More just overt racist comments that he's made," Newsom said.

"It’s just extraordinary how quickly he is unraveling in real time, including just on basic policy issues like repealing Obamacare, which is overwhelmingly supported. The highest ACA [Affordable Care Act] enrollment that we've seen in decades, or rather in years and years, just the last few weeks," he added.

Newsom continued to blast Trump as "unhinged," saying he is "much weaker" than he was a few years ago.

"Democrats are stronger. We're winning – ‘18, ‘20, ‘22, ‘23. You saw it in New York three. We continue to win. We continue to outperform. And Donald Trump is a big part of that. And he's going to be the nominee of the Republican Party," he said.

Welker pointed to recent polling that suggests voters are concerned about Biden's ability to serve a second term and asked whether it was "responsible" to put Trump at the top of the ticket. Newsom pointed to Biden's record on the economy as a reason for putting Biden on the top of the ballot, adding he is "not worried" about his ability to defeat Trump.

"And so I have great confidence moving forward. So the answer is 'absolutely all in' in terms of the next four years with Joe Biden," he said.

Trump spokesman Steven Cheung brushed off Newsom's remarks.

"Gavin is just mad he hasn’t found a way to kick Crooked Joe Biden off the ticket so he can run," he said in a statement.

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