California Governor Gavin Newsom went on national television over the weekend and accused President Donald Trump of trying to “rig” the upcoming election. He said Trump is attempting to manipulate the system because, according to Newsom, Republicans know they “can’t win on ideas.”

In an interview with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki, Newsom claimed that Trump and the GOP are intentionally creating an environment that undermines faith in elections. He offered no evidence to support his accusation.

“Trump is trying to rig the election,” Newsom said. “He knows the GOP will lose on ideas, so they’re going to try to suppress the vote and sow chaos to hang onto power.”

Newsom went on to suggest that Republican-led states are pushing voter integrity laws as a way to “control the outcome.” He pointed to measures that require voter ID, restrict ballot harvesting, and tighten mail-in ballot procedures.

“They are trying to destroy confidence in the electoral process,” he said. “It’s what autocrats do, and Trump is an autocrat in everything but title.”

Psaki, who served as White House press secretary under Joe Biden, asked Newsom if he believed Trump’s actions were part of a coordinated national effort.

“There’s no question,” Newsom replied. “He’s made it clear in his speeches and in his social media posts. They are setting the stage for another January 6 moment. They’re telegraphing it.”

Newsom’s remarks come as Trump’s popularity continues to climb across battleground states, with several recent polls showing him widening his lead among independent voters. Trump has repeatedly stated that his focus is on restoring election security and ensuring fair processes in all fifty states.

During a rally in Ohio last week, Trump said, “We’re going to make sure your vote counts, your elections are honest, and your voices are never silenced again.”

Newsom’s attempt to connect that message to election-rigging accusations was met with skepticism from critics, who note that Democrats have spent years rejecting GOP efforts to strengthen voter verification systems.

The California governor also suggested that the media needs to play a “bigger role” in countering Trump’s influence.

“This is not just about one man,” Newsom said. “This is about democracy itself. If the media doesn’t step up, we’re all going to pay the price.”

Trump allies fired back almost immediately, calling Newsom’s comments another example of panic from a party that has run out of ideas.

Senator JD Vance wrote on X, “Democrats spent four years denying the results of 2016, pushed fake Russia collusion stories, and now they’re accusing Trump of ‘rigging’ the next election. Projection at its finest.”

Political observers say Newsom’s comments are part of a broader effort by Democrats to frame Trump as a danger to democracy ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. However, with his approval ratings dropping in California and national polls showing voter frustration with inflation and crime, his latest remarks may do little to help his party.

As the election season heats up, Newsom appears determined to position himself as one of Trump’s loudest critics — but his latest conspiracy theory may have revealed more about Democratic insecurity than any real threat from Trump.