The Democratic governor of California, Gavin Newsom, made an interesting observation regarding Trump’s ongoing hush money trial in New York City.
While speaking with MSNBC, Newsom stated, “When we are focusing on him, I do worry electorally that he has a slight advantage.”
“And so, I am a little concerned about the overindulgence around the day-to-day. I get it, I totally get it.” added Newsom
Newsom later added that RFK Jr. gaining access to Michigan’s ballot should be a bigger focus for Democrats than Trump’s trial.
The old saying goes there’s no such thing as bad press.
Gavin Newsom is really worried that the constant focus on Trump and his trials will "electorally" give him an "advantage" 😂 pic.twitter.com/fp9S9w9aAX
— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) April 22, 2024
Here’s what Fox News reported:
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s worried about the “overindulgence” of former President Trump’s hush money trial and suggests that focusing on the former president could give him an electoral advantage.
MSNBC host Jen Psaki asked the Democrat governor about a “chorus” of people who think the hush money trial is only helping Trump politically, which she said was driving her “crazy.” She questioned what Newsom might tell an undecided voter about why the case should matter to them.
Newsom argued it should matter, but also said that Trump “doesn’t care if he’s the hero or the heel, he just wants to be the star.”
“When we are focusing on him, I do worry electorally that he has a slight advantage. And so, I am a little concerned about the overindulgence around the day-to-day. I get it, I totally get it. The consequential nature of a criminal trial is profound and outsized, in some respect, but not more outsized than democracy, more outsized than Dobbs,” he said, referring to the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade.
Newsom said the focus on Trump was also not more important than RFK Jr. gaining ballot access in Michigan, an important swing state.
“So, I tend to be in that camp, a little less is more, as it relates to our obsession and focus on putting any more bright lights on someone who seeks them, no matter how ill-conceived or ill-willed or ill-fated his current standing might be,” Newsom said of Trump.
Psaki opened the discussion by noting Trump would be forced to “sit quietly through his criminal proceedings” this week as jury selection was completed, and opening arguments are set to begin on Monday.
Gavin Newsom is worried that President Trump "has a slight advantage" in the 2024 election. pic.twitter.com/mcoSyQ9eKy
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 21, 2024
Per Real Clear Politics:
California Gov. Gavin Newsom wonders if Democrats spend too much time mocking Donald Trump’s legal problems, during an appearance Sunday on MSNBC with Jen Psaki:
GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM: It should matter. You have a president of the U.S. with 88 criminal counts he is dealing with. The first ex-president being submitted to this criminal case.
That said, may I give you a personal point of view? This is a guy that does not care if he is the hero or the heel. He just wants to be a star. And in so many ways, he gets what he wants and that is the bright spotlight and focus. That is the focus away from a lot of conversation we just had to focus again on him.
When we are focusing on him I do worry electorally that he has a slight advantage. So I am a little concerned about the overindulgence around the day to day. I totally get it. The consequential nature of a criminal trial is profound and outsized in some respect, but not more than democracy. More outsized than Dobbs and the consequences of him prevailing in this election in November. More than what I thought was one of the biggest race of the week. That is Robert Kennedy Junior getting on the ballot in Michigan. One of the seven key swing states.
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