California Governor Gavin Newsom escalated his long-running feud with President Donald Trump during an on-stage interview at Politico’s California Agenda Summit. Calling Trump “the most destructive and damaging individual in my lifetime,” Newsom said he was “absolutely convinced” the former president is trying to rig the 2028 election and “doesn’t want another election.” He also hinted at possible cognitive decline, remarking that people who repeat falsehoods “over and over” often show signs of dementia. The governor’s broadside followed weeks of renewed policy clashes. Trump has threatened to impose a $1 billion civil-rights fine on UCLA over allegations of antisemitism, and earlier accused Newsom of mishandling California’s wildfire response. Newsom dismissed the penalty threat as politically motivated, arguing that federal actions are intended to silence institutions that “cultivate independent thinking.” Newsom’s sharpened attacks come as his national profile—and his standing within the Democratic Party—continue to rise. A Morning Consult survey released this week shows him narrowly leading Vice-President Kamala Harris among California Democrats in a hypothetical 2028 primary. On the Kalshi prediction market, traders now give him a 31 percent chance of securing the party’s nomination, the highest in the field. Trading on a similar Polymarket contract has exceeded $16 million, with Newsom also ranked the front-runner.