Speaking at a POLITICO summit in Sacramento, the Democratic governor urged Americans to "wake up" to what he characterized as the President's blatant disregard for established democratic norms. "I don’t think Donald Trump wants another election," Newsom stated. "This guy doesn’t believe in free, fair elections."
Newsom, who has recently gained prominence for his aggressive online criticism of Trump, revealed a telling detail to support his claim. He recounted a private February meeting in the Oval Office, where he had gone to secure federal disaster aid for Los Angeles following deadly wildfires. According to Newsom, during the 90-minute discussion, Trump pointed to a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt—the only president to serve more than two terms—and then "went on and on about the third term."
The governor acknowledged the unusual nature of divulging details of a private presidential meeting but justified it by stating, "Apparently there are no rules any more."
While Trump has publicly stated he would "probably not" run again, he has frequently hinted at the possibility, citing Roosevelt as a historical precedent and questioning the limits of the 22nd Amendment. Newsom interpreted Trump's actions, such as plans for a lavish $200 million ballroom addition to the White House, as signs he has no intention of leaving. "Who spends $200m on a ballroom at their home and then leaves the house?" Newsom asked.
Beyond the third-term issue, Newsom also claimed their conversation touched on cryptocurrency, which he described as the president's "crypto grift," where Trump seemed surprised to learn a "memecoin was not even a coin."
Concluding his remarks, Newsom implored the public to take the threat seriously. "Wake up," he said. "We’re losing this country in real time. This is not bloviation, this is not exaggeration."