Former US President Donald Trump has introduced a new nickname for California Governor Gavin Newsom. During a visit to the US-Mexico border, Trump called Newsom “New Scum,” playing on the governor’s last name. The former president was in Eagle Pass, Texas, where he spoke about illegal immigration, a hot-button issue during the 2020 election. Trump criticized Newsom’s policies, claiming they are contributing to the influx of illegal immigrants into the United States. The timing of Trump’s nickname for Newsom coincides with President Joe Biden’s visit to the border in Brownsville, Texas.
Debates about illegal immigration have been at the forefront of US politics for decades. While Trump was in office, he implemented several measures to curb illegal immigration, including building a wall along the US-Mexico border. However, Trump’s successor, President Biden, has taken a more lenient stance on immigration issues, which has been met with criticism from Republicans. As a result, Trump’s nickname for Newsom could be seen as a jab at both the governor and President Biden, whom Newsom supported during the 2020 election.
Trump’s use of nicknames for his political opponents is not new. During his 2016 presidential campaign, he famously gave nicknames to his rivals such as “Crooked Hillary” and “Lying Ted.” During his recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump referred to President Biden as “Crooked Joe.” This shows that Trump’s use of nicknames has become a trademark of his political strategies.
In addition to calling Newsom “New Scum,” Trump also criticized the governor’s performance in office, stating that he has “destroyed California.” This is not the first time Trump has spoken negatively about Newsom. During an interview with NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Newsom called Trump “weakness masquerading as strength” and described him as “unhinged.” This shows that there is tension between the two politicians, and Trump’s nickname for Newsom could be seen as a response to Newsom’s remarks.
Trump refers to California Governor Gavin Newsom as “Governor New Scum” pic.twitter.com/kqe2JFtV2Y
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) February 29, 2024
Despite the ongoing feud between Trump and Newsom, the governor has maintained that he has no plans to run for president in 2024. CNN’s Senior Political Analyst, Gloria Borger, believes that Trump’s nickname for Newsom is an attempt to discredit him, particularly if he does decide to run for president in the future. Borger stated, “The seeds that are being planted here are that Newsom is somebody who is unpopular and vulnerable, and California is in shambles.” This could be seen as a political tactic to hinder Newsom’s future ambitions.
In a recent interview with NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Newsom dismissed the claim that Democrats are underestimating Trump in the 2024 election. He stated that Trump is “less interesting” and “more unhinged” than he was a few years ago. This further emphasizes the tension between the two politicians and suggests that more politically charged remarks from both sides could follow in the future.
Trump’s return to the political spotlight has caused speculation about his future plans. During his CPAC speech, Trump hinted at a possible 2024 presidential run, stating, “I may even decide to beat them for a third time.” Some political analysts see Trump’s interest in running for president again as a threat to other potential Republican nominees, including Newsom. Trump’s nickname for Newsom could also be seen as a political move to discredit a potential rival in the race for the White House.
Newsom has served as California’s governor since 2019 and is often seen as a rising star in the Democratic party. However, with Trump’s new nickname for him, it is clear that he has gained Trump’s attention. This could affect Newsom’s political image and future aspirations, as Trump holds considerable influence over the Republican party.
As the 2024 election approaches, it will be interesting to see how the feud between Trump and Newsom develops and if Trump’s nickname for the governor sticks.