By John Q. Hosedrinker 
During a recent interview on Fox News, Donald Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, attacking him on various issues and suggesting he would be a poor leader. In response, Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, reignited his claims that Trump is suffering from dementia. Newsom used an AI chatbot to emphasize this point, and this is not the first time Newsom has questioned Trump’s mental state. This back-and-forth reflects the ongoing feud between the two, with Newsom repeatedly pointing out Trump’s mental lapses.
Read the original article here
Newsom, 58, Doubles Down on Trump, 79, Dementia Claims, and it’s a story that’s gaining momentum, especially in the political sphere. The recent back-and-forth between the California Governor and the former President really highlights the increasingly combative nature of modern politics.
The immediateness of Newsom’s response is striking. Within an hour of Trump making a statement, we saw a social media post that seemed to question Trump’s cognitive state. It’s a clear indication that Newsom is ready to challenge Trump, using the very public arena of social media to do so. This also underscores the strategic aspect of these interactions. Newsom, widely viewed as a potential 2028 presidential contender, appears to be using this opportunity to distinguish himself, while simultaneously appealing to a segment of the electorate concerned about Trump’s mental acuity.
The use of AI in Newsom’s response adds another layer of intrigue. He posted a conversation with the AI bot Grok, essentially asking if dementia is characterized by repetitive false statements. Grok’s response, of course, affirmed this. It’s a clever way to not only make the point, but to do so with the perceived authority of artificial intelligence. This strategy also opens up avenues for broader discussion, prompting the electorate to evaluate Trump’s public statements through a different lens.
Newsom’s attacks, however, haven’t been limited to simple AI queries. He’s repeatedly highlighted what he perceives as mental lapses by Trump, for example, making a quip about Trump’s Truth Social post that read “South Carerdddd”. This suggests a pattern of behavior, which can raise questions about the seriousness of the issue.
What’s really catching attention is the frequency and intensity of these exchanges. It almost seems like Newsom is trying to “trigger” Trump, or to rattle him. The fact that Trump’s social media presence seems to have become more frequent and bombastic, along with an apparent regression in speech patterns, has further fueled the speculation. The comments that Trump, at 79, is showing signs of fatigue at recent public events also contribute to the ongoing narrative.
Some observers view this as a form of political theater, a reality show playing out in real-time. But within this spectacle, there’s a serious underlying question. Do such attacks address the real concerns of voters? Some feel that focusing on Trump’s supposed cognitive decline overshadows more pressing issues like wages, healthcare, and affordable housing. There’s a feeling that these attacks, while potentially damaging to Trump, might not necessarily serve the broader goals of progress.
Conversely, others see Newsom’s strategy as a necessary challenge. They see the attacks not just as attacks, but as a defense against what they perceive as rising fascism. For these individuals, Trump’s actions, and the people around him, pose a significant threat, and Newsom’s willingness to directly confront that is seen as a positive. There are certainly strong feelings on both sides of the argument.
There’s also a more nuanced viewpoint, one that suggests Newsom is effectively playing a game. Some observers believe the most astute move is to recognize that Trump is “really, really bad at maths” and instead focus on holding him accountable. This approach combines the political spectacle with the serious matters of governance and corruption.
Newsom’s strategy also presents its own challenges. Some critics have pointed out his ties to tech companies, suggesting that his approach may be influenced by these relationships. Others have pointed out that a focus on Trump’s perceived decline may distract from underlying systemic problems, such as systemic economic issues.
The question of whether Trump is actually declining cognitively is an ongoing debate. While there’s a lot of anecdotal evidence being presented, there’s no way to ignore the fact that there is a large number of Americans, some who may not be fans of Newsom, who do have real concerns about Trump’s mental fitness.
The entire situation seems tailor-made for the modern political landscape. There is no doubt the attacks are meant to grab headlines and dominate the social media conversations. As the election cycle ramps up, it’s clear that the back-and-forth between Newsom and Trump is something we can expect to continue.