California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized Donald Trump’s “anti-woke” agenda, arguing that it is fundamentally “anti-Black” and warning that the former president is driving the country backwards.
Speaking on the All The Smoke podcast, Newsom said he was deeply troubled by the current political climate in the United States. According to him, the issue goes far beyond party politics.
“This isn’t about Democrats versus Republicans,” Newsom said. “It’s about who we are as a nation and what we stand for. What’s happening now is a reversal of progress — a push toward a pre-1960s America.”
He pointed to the Supreme Court’s discussions around potentially weakening or overturning the Voting Rights Act, saying such changes could occur within months. Newsom also accused the administration of attempting to reshape history by removing or censoring factual accounts of America’s past.
“It’s an astonishing moment,” he said. “This so-called anti-woke movement is simply anti-Black.”
Newsom linked the administration’s opposition to critical race theory, environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs to what he described as a “great purge” happening in real time. He framed the political struggle as a moral one, calling it a battle between “light and darkness.”
Last month, a federal court ordered the government to restore hundreds of webpages related to gender identity and DEI after they were removed under a Trump executive order. Judge Lauren King ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services must reinstate the pages as part of a settlement.
The lawsuit was brought by nine medical and public health organizations following Trump’s January order instructing the department to delete content related to gender identity, HIV prevention, and healthcare guidance for marginalized communities.
Newsom has long been vocal in his support for transgender and LGBTQ+ rights. He has opposed drag bans, signed laws protecting LGBTQ+ youth, and publicly criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for what he described as demeaning rhetoric toward the community. Recently, Newsom has also mocked Trump online, calling him “unhinged,” “declining,” and in need of “an intervention.”
However, Newsom has faced backlash over what some critics see as a shift in his stance on transgender issues, particularly as speculation grows about a potential presidential run.
Newsom on a Possible 2028 Presidential Bid
In an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Newsom said he would consider a presidential campaign after the 2026 midterm elections. He acknowledged that he is seriously weighing the idea but emphasized that no decision has been made.
Newsom’s term as California governor ends in January 2027, and state law prevents him from seeking another term. While the next presidential election will take place in 2028, he cautioned that discussions about his candidacy are still premature.
