Gavin Newsom Takes Anti-Trump Message to Munich Security Conference/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ California Gov. Gavin Newsom used the Munich Security Conference to criticize President Donald Trump’s climate and foreign policies. The likely 2028 presidential contender framed Trump as “temporary” while promoting global alliances and climate action. Newsom’s European trip highlights his growing national and international profile ahead of the midterms.
Newsom Munich Security Conference Trump Critique Quick Looks
- Newsom called Trump “temporary” in Munich remarks.
- Spoke on climate policy and global cooperation.
- Plans to sign partnership agreement with Ukraine.
- Positioning himself as leading Democratic counter to Trump.
- Visit follows appearance at World Economic Forum in Davos.
- South Carolina trip scheduled next week.
Deep Look: Gavin Newsom Takes Anti-Trump Message to Munich Security Conference
California Gov. Gavin Newsom brought his critique of President Donald Trump to an international stage this week, telling global leaders gathered in Germany that Trump’s time in office is limited and urging allies to stand firm on climate and democratic values.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Newsom declared that “Donald Trump is temporary” and predicted the president would be gone within three years. The Democratic governor framed his message as reassurance to European partners unsettled by Trump’s foreign and environmental policies.
Although Newsom did not formally position himself as a 2028 presidential candidate, his appearance in Munich — following a recent trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland — underscores his effort to expand his national and global footprint.
Climate Policy at Center Stage
Friday’s official discussion focused on climate change and global warming. Newsom used the forum to sharply criticize Trump’s rollback of federal environmental regulations, accusing the administration of “doubling down on stupid” by weakening carbon pollution standards.
He argued that California has historically led the nation in environmental regulation and economic innovation, pointing to past Republican leaders as examples. Newsom referenced Ronald Reagan’s role in establishing California’s early emissions standards and Richard Nixon’s signing of the federal Clean Air Act and creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Newsom contrasted those actions with the Trump administration’s recent repeal of a key federal finding that carbon emissions endanger public health — a move Trump described as the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history.
“There is no Republican thermometer. There is no Democratic thermometer,” Newsom said. “There’s just reality.”
He emphasized that climate policy should be framed not only as a moral imperative but also as an economic opportunity. Newsom cited China’s economic growth and investments in alternative energy, arguing that clean energy development can drive job creation and long-term prosperity.
California’s recent wildfires — which have driven up insurance costs and left some properties uninsurable — served as an example of the tangible economic consequences of climate change, he noted.
Ukraine Partnership and Foreign Policy Messaging
While in Europe, Newsom is also set to formalize a new partnership with Ukraine by signing a memorandum of understanding with regional leaders aimed at boosting economic recovery, innovation and resilience. His office has described the agreement as part of California’s broader engagement with global markets.
On Saturday, Newsom is scheduled to join a panel discussion on international alliances, offering another platform to criticize Trump’s approach to NATO, threats regarding Greenland, and recent U.S. military operations abroad.
Advisers to the governor view the trip as a way to showcase California’s global influence — both economically and diplomatically — and to strengthen Newsom’s credentials on foreign policy, an area often seen as essential for presidential contenders.
Positioning for 2028
Political observers note that Newsom’s European appearances reflect a broader strategy to establish himself as a leading Democratic voice in opposition to Trump.
“He is certainly trying to project front-runner vibes,” said Democratic pollster Zac McCrary. “Like any Democratic governor trying to run for president, you have to build your national security credential, foreign policy chops. He’s in that phase.”
Newsom’s trip to Germany precedes a planned return visit to South Carolina, a state that plays a key role in Democratic presidential primaries and is seeking to maintain its early position in the 2028 nominating calendar.
Back home, Newsom has used social media and executive authority to challenge Trump’s policies. He has mocked the president’s rhetoric online and overseen redistricting efforts in California aimed at countering Republican-led gerrymandering in states such as Texas.
Other prominent Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, also attended the Munich conference, highlighting the event’s significance as a testing ground for national political figures.
A Broader Democratic Strategy
Newsom’s comments reflect a larger Democratic effort to frame Trump’s policies as destabilizing both domestically and internationally. By appearing before a global audience, Newsom positioned himself as a defender of multilateralism and environmental cooperation.
“At a time when Donald Trump is turning his back on allies, attacking clean energy and siding with the powerful over working people, Gov. Newsom is inking new partnerships that create jobs and opportunity,” his office said in a statement.
Whether those efforts resonate with voters in 2028 remains to be seen. But Newsom’s European tour suggests he is working to expand his influence beyond California — cultivating foreign policy credentials while sharpening his role as one of Trump’s most visible Democratic critics.
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