Gavin Newsom Criticizes Trump’s Agenda as a “Recipe of Fear and Chaos”

California Governor Gavin Newsom took aim at former President Donald Trump this week, calling his policies a “recipe of fear and chaos.” The remark came during a public address in which Newsom outlined what he described as key achievements of his administration, ranging from economic growth and environmental progress to social initiatives across the state.

After what some observers called a “self-effacing but pointed” reflection on his record, Newsom contrasted his vision for the country with that of Trump, arguing that the former president’s approach thrives on division and instability. “We can’t go backward,” Newsom said. “Fear and chaos are not leadership — they’re distractions from progress.”

His comments come amid renewed speculation about Newsom’s national ambitions and the increasing likelihood of a heated 2024 political landscape dominated by Trump’s continued influence over the Republican Party.

While Newsom positioned his remarks as a call for unity and gratitude, critics noted that his speech also served as a subtle reminder of his own leadership credentials. Still, the governor’s sharp rebuke of Trump underscores a growing sense of urgency among Democrats to define their values in contrast to what Newsom described as “a politics built on resentment rather than responsibility.”