Joe Scarborough mocks Gavin Newsom over embarrassing social media posts, says party has lost its 'footing'

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough criticized Gavin Newsom and Democrats on Morning Joe this week, saying the party has lost focus by fixating on Donald Trump while struggling to deliver a clear message on issues that matter to voters.

“You see the Democrats trying to find their footing, and it’s actually pretty embarrassing. Gavin Newsom—have you seen what he’s doing online? Just take a deep breath... They don’t know what to do,” Scarborough said.

Scarborough said Democrats should focus less on attacking Trump and more on kitchen-table issues. “Here’s a good idea: instead of trying to school Donald Trump, look into the camera and talk about affordability. Talk about making groceries more affordable. Talk about what you’re going to do for housing. Talk about what you’re going to do about energy prices that keep going up. Yesterday we heard a congressman talk about skyrocketing energy costs in New Jersey,” he said.

The criticism came as California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s official press account posted a series of bizarre, mock-Trump-style statements online. In one post, Newsom wrote, “As many know, Donald ‘TACO’ Trump — author of The Art of the Deal (a book he should return to the library) — just missed the best deal in history. He always ‘chickens out’ (tariffs, China) — but even a ‘chicken’ should know a good ‘deal’ when he sees one.”

Scarborough went on to warn Democrats against turning Trump into the centerpiece of their strategy, as he won't even be running in 2028. “As I’ve been saying, Donald Trump is not on the ballot in ’26. He’s not on the ballot in ’28. Why try to drag Muhammad Ali into the ring when you’ve got Chuck Wepner standing right in front of you? Wepner’s a bleeder. You want him. So why are you going after Donald Trump? You’re not running against Donald Trump. Go after Tweedledee or Tweedledum—Chuck Wepner, the bleeder,” he said, referring to boxer Chuck Wepner.

In another online post, Newsom mocked Trump’s age and stamina: “Donald is finished — he is no longer ‘hot.’ First the hands (so tiny) and now me — Gavin C. Newsom — have taken away his ‘step.’ Many are saying he can’t even do the ‘big stairs’ on Air Force One anymore — uses the little baby stairs now. Sad!”

Scarborough pointed to Wepner’s underdog reputation but used him as a metaphor for Trump not being the immediate opponent Democrats face: “And with all due respect to Chuck Wepner, he kind of held in there. He inspired Rocky, many people say,” he added.

Newsom continued his strange string of weird posts by suggesting he deserved international accolades: “Many people are saying — and I agree — that I, Gavin C. Newsom (America’s favorite governor) deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Why? Because of the ‘most incredible maps in the history of mapping’ (even Columbus). These maps will end the ‘very rigged’ elections, make America great again (MAGA!!!), retake Congress ‘for the people,’ and save democracy.”