President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Monday night that California Gov. Gavin Newsom had dropped out of the 2028 presidential race, a campaign Newsom has not confirmed running for. The post came after MAGA supporters criticized Newsom over comments they interpreted as disparaging Black people. Trump wrote: "Wow! Gavin Newscum just dropped out of the Presidential Race!!! President DJT." Analysts and observers expressed bewilderment at the false claim. Journalist Oscar Gonzalez posted, "Trump just blinked. He's scared." University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald suggested Newsom could now "declare Trump just resigned." Economist Sky Marchini referenced Trump's "AI-generated reality." Trump's post coincided with declining approval ratings as midterms approached. When asked about polls showing his 40 percent approval, Trump dismissed them as "wrong" and claimed his actual approval was "much higher" without evidence.
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