California Governor Gavin Newsom has fact-checked President Trump on social media, after the GOP leader claimed that his Golden State nemesis had abandoned plans to succeed him as commander-in-chief.
The president made the claims on the Trump-owned social media platform Truth Social, employing a now-familiar nickname to take a swipe at his opponent.
“Wow! Gavin Newscum just dropped out of the Presidential Race!!! President DJT,” Trump wrote.
Trump made the claim after Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, took a swipe at the Republican leader over the U.S. women’s hockey team’s decision to decline an invitation to the State of the Union address.
“Clearly they prefer arenas where women are actually respected,” she wrote. “As they should.”
Also on X, Governor Newsom hit back at Trump with a brutal response of his own.
“WOW. THE PRESIDENT IS SUNDOWNING HARDER THAN USUAL TONIGHT!!! — GOVERNOR GCN,” he wrote, copying Trump’s social media communication style.
“Sundowning” is a phenomenon experienced by dementia patients, which the Alzheimer's Society says characterized by mood swings, a sense of agitation or distress and even hallucinations around late afternoon.
Newsom, who is widely expected to run for president and often tipped as a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, has made jabs at Trump’s health before.
Just days ago, Newsom labelled the GOP leader as “Dozy Don,” after Trump’s eyes drooped during the first meeting of The Board of Peace.
Trump, 80, also appeared to drift off to sleep during a White House meeting last year, while Dr. Mehmet Oz spoke about a deal reached between the manufacturers of weight-loss drugs and the Trump administration.
“DOZY DON IS BACK,” Newsom wrote, attaching a picture of Trump with his eyes closed.
Trump has always maintained that he is in good health. Speculation about his health, though, remains rampant on social media, since he is often spotted with swollen ankles and bruised hands.
The White House says that the bruises are caused by hand shaking and that his swollen ankles are caused by chronic venous insufficiency.
However, the California governor’s aggressive approach to Trump, attacking him on everything from his policies to his health, has made him one of the most prominent opponents of the current administration.
Many believe that he is weighing up his chances of succeeding Trump in the Oval Office.
In order to win the Democratic nomination for president, Newsom would have to see off several strong contenders within his own party.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to throw her hat in the ring once again.
She has ruled out replacing Newsom as California's governor and has not confirmed if she is making another run for the White House.
“I am not done,” she told the BBC last year.
Progressive firebrand and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is also being discussed as a potential commander-in-chief.
Polls often position Newsom and Harris as the frontrunners for the nomination.
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