Gavin Newsom Admits There’s Something He ‘Admires’ About Donald Trump

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) admitted during a recent podcast interview that there was one thing he truly admired about President Donald Trump, despite their obvious and often contentious political differences.

Newsom told Politico’s Jonathan Martin — for Tuesday’s episode of his “On the Road with Jonathan Martin” podcast — that Trump’s constant desire to close the deal, to win people over in person, was what he admired about the president.

Martin began by pointing out that Trump and Newsom, despite the heated words that often pass between them on social media, were not necessarily on the worst of terms when they met in person.

“And even most recently, Davos, he was there, you were there at the same time, and he’s talking to you backstage, but he’s like coaching you on politics and PR, right?” Martin asked. “What did he say?”

“It was a fascinating conversation where he’s just, you know, saying, ‘We used to get along great! What the hell? Hey, we’re gonna be great–’” Newsom replied.

“He wants to win you over in person,” Martin summed up the situation.

“Yeah he wants to win everyone over,” Newsom agreed. “That’s who he is.”

Martin observed, “He wants to sell you the car.”

“Yeah, everybody. And look, yeah, I admire that on some level,” Newsom admitted, suggesting that it implied Trump’s need to be accepted was somewhat pathological. “I mean, there’s a human quality to that. He needs to be needed. He needs to be loved. And you know and – but then you get into some clinical components of that as well.”

Newsom concluded by saying that his main goal was never just to “get” Trump: “So look, I’m not – I don’t wake up every day to try to find, you know, a crowbar to put in the spokes of his wheel.”

Newsom pivoted then to claim that Democrats needed to win back the House in 2026, claiming that if they didn’t, he couldn’t promise that the 2028 presidential election would be without underhanded actions from Republicans.

“That said, I’m going to stand my ground. I’m going to fight fire with fire. We’re going to have the backs of our diverse communities, and we’re going to fight back. And, yeah, fight fire with fire. And I know two wrongs don’t make a right, but with all due respect, we’ll lose this country as we try to win that argument, and Democrats are constantly trying to be right,” Newsom claimed. “The other side is ruthless, and with respect, my party needs to be more ruthless about winning, because if we don’t win back the House of Representatives, we may not have a fair and free election in 2028, and I really believe that.”