Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is not mincing words. On Sunday, he took to X to warn that President Donald Trump is heading for a major political setback in the November midterm elections, and he wants voters to make it happen.
"Donald Trump knows he's going to lose in November," Newsom wrote. He added, "His presidency as we know it will end on Tuesday if we do our job and VOTE."
That's about as direct as it gets. Newsom isn't just predicting a loss; he's framing the midterms as a turning point that could fundamentally reshape the balance of power in Washington.
A Corruption Story, Not Just Politics
In a separate post on X, Newsom accused Trump of corruption, calling his presidency a "corruption story" and urging accountability. He cited Trump's cryptocurrency dealings, meme coin profits, a Qatari jet, and alleged links between business interests and tariff changes involving Vietnam and Switzerland.
"I'm talking about grift and corruption, the likes of which we have never seen in the history of this country," Newsom said. He urged voters to turn out in November and help restore congressional oversight.
It's a familiar line of attack, but Newsom is leaning into it hard. The implication is clear: a Democratic Congress would serve as a check on a president who, in Newsom's view, has used his office for personal enrichment.
White House Braces for a Democratic Wave
The Trump administration isn't sitting idly by. It had announced more than $15 billion in farm assistance ahead of the midterms, a move that looks like an attempt to shore up support in rural areas. But economists warned that temporary aid would not ease farmers' long-term financial pressures.
Meanwhile, the White House had prepared for a possible Democratic takeover of Congress by developing plans to advance Trump's agenda through executive actions on tariffs, immigration, housing, and federal spending. One official said Trump would be "very comfortable" governing through executive powers if Democrats gained control.
That's a striking admission. It suggests the administration is already gaming out a scenario where it loses one or both chambers and has to rely on unilateral action. Whether that's a sign of confidence or contingency planning is up for debate.
Democrats Rally the Base
Newsom isn't the only Democrat making noise. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) urged Congress to block funding for further U.S. strikes against Iran, as Trump left open the possibility of renewed military action.
On Saturday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) accused Republican megadonors of spending more than $1.6 billion "trying to buy the 2026 elections" and urged supporters to organize ahead of the midterms.
Previously, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg criticized Trump and congressional Republicans for prioritizing wealthy insiders and corporate interests, urging voters to "vote them out."
The message from the Democratic side is consistent: the midterms are a referendum on Trump's conduct, and they want voters to see it that way. Whether that resonates at the ballot box is the million-dollar question.
