WATCH: Newsome unleashes fiery attack on Trump, claims republic ‘at real risk’

December 12, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, argued that President Donald Trump is one of the “most destructive” presidents in his lifetime and that the country is becoming “unrecognizable.”

The governor made the comments on Wednesday during an appearance on New York Times columnist Ezra Klein’s podcast.

Newsom also criticized financial, educational and political entities for “bending the knee to this president.”

“I think Trump is one of the most destructive presidents and human beings in my lifetime,” Newsom said. “I think this republic is at real risk, this country being unrecognizable. And I have no patience for people that want to indulge it.”

“I can’t stand the crony capitalism,” the California Democrat continued. “I can’t stand the universities have done that, the law firms that have done that, individual corporate leaders that have done that, other governors, maybe Democrats and Republicans, that have been complicit at this moment.”