In a recent appearance on Fox News, former President Donald Trump stirred controversy with a remark regarding the possibility of running against Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom in the upcoming presidential election.
As the leading candidate in the 2024 GOP primary, Trump’s momentum has surged following his victory in the Iowa caucus last month and his subsequent win in the New Hampshire primary, where he garnered 54.5 percent of the vote, surpassing his opponent Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, who received 44.7 percent.
Newsom has been touted by some as a potential Democratic contender for the presidency due to his popularity and age. However, Newsom has consistently dismissed rumors of a 2024 presidential bid, emphasizing his support for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.
Gavin Newsom (Credits: Getty Images)
During an appearance on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Trump was asked about his potential matchup against Newsom. In response, Trump made a remark that was censored by Fox News, stating, “He’s so much bull****.”
Furthermore, Trump criticized Newsom’s governance, particularly addressing the state’s homelessness crisis, stating, “His state is doing horribly. You look at the homeless problem. You look at the people that are leaving. You have companies that are leaving. They’re all leaving for other locations. I think Gavin’s easy because California is a disaster.”
Efforts to obtain comments from Newsom’s office and Trump’s campaign regarding the exchange were made by Newsweek via email.
Homelessness remains a pressing issue across the United States, with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 2023 annual Homelessness Assessment Report indicating that 653,104 people experienced homelessness in the country that year. Cities like San Francisco, which saw 7,754 individuals experiencing homelessness in 2022, continue to grapple with significant challenges in this regard.
California, home to the largest homeless population in the nation, faces profound difficulties in addressing homelessness. In October, Newsom signed a bill aimed at combating homelessness through a multi-billion dollar strategy, focusing on transitioning individuals from the streets into housing.
Meanwhile, Newsom recently criticized Trump, referring to him as “damaged goods” during an interview on MSNBC. Newsom expressed confidence in Trump’s vulnerability in a general election, characterizing him as increasingly unhinged and extreme across various issues.
