Donald Trump’s recent dismissal of Gavin Newsom—calling him a “nice guy” who “looks good” but is “incompetent”—appears to have only fueled the California governor’s determination to challenge him. Newsom responded not with a similar insult, but with a grave warning about Trump’s alleged plan to seek a third term.
The exchange highlights the escalating feud between the two men, who are widely seen as potential rivals in future national elections. While Trump opted for a personal jab, Newsom countered with a substantive accusation rooted in a private Oval Office meeting.
During a public interview, Newsom revealed that Trump had spoken to him at length about the possibility of a third term. This disclosure elevated their conflict from a war of words to a serious debate over constitutional principles, a terrain where Newsom clearly feels he has the upper hand.
Newsom’s strategy seems to be to absorb Trump’s attacks and reframe the conversation around what he sees as the real issue: the threat Trump poses to democracy. The “incompetent” label has done little to deter him; instead, it has coincided with his most direct and damaging accusation yet.