🗳️ Gavin Newsom Predicts Trump Will “Lose His Grip on Power” Ahead of 2026 Midterms

California Governor Gavin Newsom says he believes the upcoming 2026 midterm elections will mark a “turning point for American politics,” predicting that former President Donald Trump’s influence will finally begin to fade.

In a new interview with CNN’s Elex Michaelson on “The Story Is with Elex Michaelson,” Newsom discussed the future of both parties, the state of American democracy, and his outlook on the post-Trump political landscape.

“I think we’re nearing the point where Trumpism begins to lose its hold,” Newsom told Michaelson. “The American people are tired — tired of the chaos, tired of the division, tired of the endless grievance politics.”

A “Post-Trump” Political Era

Newsom argued that 2026 could serve as the “inflection point” when voters move beyond what he described as “performative populism.” He also suggested that both Democrats and Republicans will need to redefine their identities as the country shifts away from the extreme partisanship that has defined much of the last decade.

“This isn’t about left versus right anymore,” Newsom said. “It’s about the future versus the past. And I think most Americans — regardless of party — are ready to move forward.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

While Newsom stopped short of endorsing any specific Democratic candidates for upcoming races, his remarks were widely interpreted as a sign that top Democrats are preparing to frame 2026 as a referendum on Trump’s lingering political influence.

Analysts say Newsom’s comments also come as Democrats look to regain ground in key battleground states after mixed results in 2024.

Michaelson’s interview with the California governor is part of a weeklong CNN series exploring early dynamics heading into the 2026 election cycle.

“The Story Is with Elex Michaelson” airs weeknights from 12–2 a.m. ET on CNN.