Gavin Newsom Blasts Trump as “Temporary”

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBTQ Politics

MUNICH — (February 13, 2026) — California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a forceful rebuke of President Donald Trump during a live interview on CNN from the Munich Security Conference, telling anchor Kasie Hunt that world leaders increasingly view the United States as a “wrecking ball” under Trump’s leadership.

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Appearing on CNN’s The Arena, Newsom said he traveled to Munich to reassure global allies that Trump’s presidency is temporary and that long-term partnerships with states like California remain stable and reliable.

“Trump Is Temporary”

When asked why he was attending the conference, Newsom made his position clear.

“I’m here in many respects to remind everyone that Trump is temporary. He’ll be gone in a matter of years. States like California are permanent. We’re reliable, stable partners.”

Newsom emphasized California’s commitment to climate policy and economic transformation, criticizing what he described as federal rollbacks, including changes to environmental regulatory frameworks that he says undermine decades of progress.

“They See Us as a Wrecking Ball”

When Hunt pressed him on whether international leaders still view America as the leader of the free world, Newsom did not hesitate.

“No. They see us as a wrecking ball. They see us as unreliable. And a lot of them think irrevocable — they don’t think we’ll ever come back to our original form.”

He added that while trust is difficult to restore, he believes American institutions remain capable of recalibration after political shifts.

“Whatever happens, we can undo. We can shape-shift. We can fix it… There’s too much at stake.”

Watch Gavin Newsom Savages Trump on CNN

Gavin Newsom speaks during a CNN interview in Munich addressing U.S. political issues and national leadership topics.

Watch California Governor Gavin Newsom during his CNN interview in Munich discussing national political developments, leadership, and U.S. policy matters.

2028 Political Signals

Newsom’s high-profile appearance comes amid growing speculation about the 2028 presidential race. He and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were among Democratic figures attending the Munich conference, where Trump’s leadership and U.S. foreign policy posture were reportedly dominant topics of discussion.

While Newsom stopped short of announcing any future ambitions, political observers note that his global engagement signals a widening national profile.

Why This Matters for LGBT Politics

For LGBTQ Americans, climate policy, international alliances, and federal regulatory decisions often intersect with broader civil rights protections. Global diplomatic stability influences everything from human rights coordination to multinational policy frameworks affecting LGBTQ communities worldwide.

Newsom’s remarks reflect a growing divide within American politics over the country’s role in global leadership and its domestic policy direction — issues that remain central to the 2026 midterms and beyond.

As the 2026 and 2028 political cycles intensify, JRL CHARTS will continue delivering verified, advertiser-safe, and strategically framed coverage of the issues shaping LGBTQ America — from federal policy battles and international diplomacy to climate, civil rights, and electoral strategy.

Our LGBT Politics News division remains committed to clear-eyed reporting without partisan hysteria, providing readers, advocates, and decision-makers with analysis that cuts through the noise and focuses on what truly impacts the LGBTQ community at home and abroad.