California Governor Gavin Newsom kicked off his nationwide book tour in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday night, focusing on his memoir while sharply criticizing President Donald Trump and Republican policies. Moderated by Justin Kanew of the Tennessee Holler, the event drew hundreds of attendees who heard Newsom advocate for economic reforms and oppose voter registration measures. He expressed optimism about Democrats regaining control of the House in the 2026 midterms.
The event marked the beginning of Newsom's tour for his memoir, "Young Man in a Hurry," held at a venue in west Nashville. Hundreds attended, primarily middle-aged and elderly individuals, as Newsom shared details about his background and personal life alongside political commentary.
Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, pushed for fundamental changes to America's economic system. "We're talking about trillionaires now, not billionaires, so this isn't working for enough folks. If you're 30 years old, you're the first generation in American history that's not doing better than their parents," he said, agreeing with Bernie Sanders on the issue while faulting Trump for exploiting it without solutions. "So the system fundamentally has to be reformed," he added.
He highlighted his record in California, including legislation raising the minimum wage to $20 per hour for fast food workers and $25 per hour for many health care workers, and criticized other states, including an apparent reference to Tennessee, for lagging behind.
Throughout, Newsom targeted Trump and Republicans, voicing concerns over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and the Save America Act, which requires proof of citizenship like a passport or birth certificate for voter registration. "It's not about voter ID... It's about proving your citizenship with a passport. Not everyone has a passport," he stated, noting many lack easy access to birth certificates.
The discussion touched on potential election interference in the 2026 midterms, with Kanew raising fears of Trump stealing votes through actions like surrounding polls with ICE agents, as suggested by former adviser Steve Bannon—who has not advised Trump since 2017. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons recently told Congress there is "no reason to use ICE officers" at polling places. Newsom agreed with these worries but predicted a Democratic House majority, stating, "Donald Trump's presidency de facto ends as we know it in November of this year when Speaker [Hakeem] Jeffries gets the gavel."
This appearance follows Newsom's recent admission to Ben Shapiro that it was "fair" to criticize his office for labeling ICE agents as terrorists, after Shapiro argued such rhetoric worsens politics.
Newsom also endorsed more aggressive executive actions by future Democratic presidents: "We are capable of doing much more."
