Ron DeSantis is “fundamentally authoritarian”, but Donald Trump’s quest for “vengeance” poses an even greater threat to democracy, California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom said on Sunday.

Newsom took aim at the leading two candidates for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination during a hard-hitting and wide-ranging interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, the final episode with its long-time host Chuck Todd.

“I worry about democracy,” he said. “I worry about the fetishness for autocracy that we’re seeing not just from Trump, but around the world, and notably across this country.

“I’ve made the point about DeSantis that I think he’s functionally authoritarian. I’m worried more, in many respects, about Trumpism, which transcends well beyond his term and time in tenure.”

Newsom added: “The vengeance in Donald Trump’s heart right now is more of a threat.”

  • Hazdaz@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Newsom is positioning himself to run for President in 5 years. While I appreciate his enthusiasm and all, and love his attacks on DeSatan, I think he should be spending this time fixing CA’s many, many problems.

    California is already a lightning rod for conservative hate, and honestly, much of it is legitimate. He needs to go back home and start fixing those problems and give Republicans less fodder in 2028. If he can fix those issues, he’s almost a sure-thing.

    • TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      in 5 1 years

      Ftfy.

      Newsom is positioning himself as the prepared understudy when Biden announces he’ll be stepping out of the race due to age related concerns. This will happen after there is effectively no time for a primary.

      The Democratic party is not interested in the opinion of their voters.

      • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Why would they force Newsom on us? Manchin is right there and has been the de facto leader of the party since 2020.

          • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            And I wouldn’t put it past the Democratic Party to try to force him on us.

            He would be less awful than Trump, and as long as that bar is cleared, the party will select the rightmost candidate they think they can get away with.