California Governor Gavin Newsom is doubling down on warnings that Donald Trump represents a threat to democracy, calling him a “dictator” and suggesting he may try to suspend future elections. In a recent interview with Politico, Newsom argued that Trump’s talk of “Trump 2028” hats is evidence that the former president has no intention of leaving office if he wins in November.
The remarks echo a familiar line of attack Democrats have used for years, portraying Trump as an authoritarian figure. But critics note that similar claims were made in 2018 and 2020, when elections took place as scheduled. Commentators argue the strategy reflects the Democratic Party’s struggle to define itself by more than opposition to Trump.
On AM560’s Chicago’s Morning Answer, host Dan Proft described the trend as “a contest to see who can be the most hysterical in the direction of Trump,” citing Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s comparison of Trump to Adolf Hitler in his State of the State address.
Chadwick Moore, New York Times bestselling author of Tucker and a senior reporter for the New York Post, joined Proft to discuss the dynamics. Moore agreed that Democrats appear stuck. “They don’t really know where to go from here except for being the party of anti-Trump,” he said, adding that cultural battles over gender and schools have left them in a politically vulnerable position.
Moore also noted that Trump’s critics often lean on exaggerated rhetoric because their policy record is difficult to defend. “They can’t even get on board with basic things like public safety,” he said, pointing to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s recent admission that a surge in federal law enforcement officers reduced violent crime.
The conversation also turned to Democratic prospects beyond 2024. Proft argued that if Republicans continue to build credibility on public safety, economic stability, and cultural issues, Democrats will face an uphill climb in swing states. Moore was skeptical of Newsom’s national appeal. “I don’t really see a way that any California politician plays well in the rust belt,” he said, pointing to states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Meanwhile, New York politics illustrate how Democrats punish deviation from the party line. Moore cited New York City Mayor Eric Adams, once seen as a moderate, who has fallen sharply in the polls after criticizing the impact of mass immigration. “He stormed the Democrat party by coming out against immigration,” Moore said, noting that party activists quickly abandoned him.
As for Trump, Moore said the former president’s energized base remains his biggest asset in what is shaping up to be a four-way race. While Trump’s popularity is polarizing, Moore emphasized that “only Trump can pull off Trump,” a quality that makes Democratic efforts to imitate or outdo his rhetoric look desperate.
With Democrats leaning on recycled warnings and Republicans presenting themselves as the party of order and common sense, the contours of the 2028 race may already be taking shape.