Ron DeSantis is “fundamentally authoritarian”, but Donald Trump’s quest for “vengeance” poses an even greater threat to democracy, California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom said on Sunday.
Newsom took aim at the leading two candidates for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination during a hard-hitting and wide-ranging interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, the final episode with its long-time host Chuck Todd.
“I worry about democracy,” he said. “I worry about the fetishness for autocracy that we’re seeing not just from Trump, but around the world, and notably across this country.
“I’ve made the point about DeSantis that I think he’s functionally authoritarian. I’m worried more, in many respects, about Trumpism, which transcends well beyond his term and time in tenure.”
Newsom added: “The vengeance in Donald Trump’s heart right now is more of a threat.”
Language is important. Some people need to be reminded that people like Desantis are authoritarian. Or at least they need to be reminded that we know he is and it’s not OK. You can’t support an authoritarian and democracy at the same time. By pointing out that Desantis is authoritarian, you are also pointing out his followers hate America. They claim to love America. This disconnect is the point.