California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) survived a recall election and took a moment during his victory speech to criticize former President Donald Trump.
He noted Trump recently claimed the election is âprobably rigged,â adding, âDemocracy is not a football. You donât throw it around. Itâs more like a, I donât know, an antique vase. You can drop it and smash it in a million different pieces. And thatâs what weâre capable of doing if we donât stand up to meet the moment and push back. I said this many, many times on the campaign trail.â
Newsom added, âYou know, we may have defeated Trump, but Trumpism is not dead in this country. The Big Lie. The January 6th insurrection. All the voting suppression efforts that are happening all across this country, whatâs happening with the assault on fundamental rights, constitutionally protected rights of women and girls. Itâs a remarkable moment in our nationâs history.â
Concluding his remarks, Newsom said he is âhumbled, grateful, but resolved in the spirit of my political hero, Robert Kennedy, to make more gentle the life of this world. Thank you all very much, and thank you to 40 million Americans, 40 million Californians, and thank you for rejecting this recall.â
Watch part of Newsomâs victory speech below:
During an interview with Newsmax last week, Trump argued California is âsending out all ballotsâŚthe ballots are mail-out, mail-in ballots.â
He continued, âIn fact, I guess you even have a case where you can make your own ballots. When that happens, nobodyâs going to win except these Democrats. So, you know, look, the one thing theyâre good at is rigging elections. So I predict itâs a rigged election. Letâs see how it turns out.â
President Joe Biden traveled to California to campaign for Newsom, warning residents they âeither keep Gavin Newsom as your governor, or youâll get Donald Trump.â
The Associated Press pointed out Republican talk radio host Larry Elder would have likely replaced Newsom if he failed to survive the recall.
