Trump suggests Newsom's wife comment on women's hockey team invite ended husband's presidential bid

President Trump is suggesting that California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom's wife has made such a damaging comment regarding the president's invitation to the U.S. women's Olympic hockey team to attend his State of the Union address that the governor had to exit the 2028 presidential race.

Jennifer Siebel Newsom posted on X: "Clearly they prefer arenas where women are actually respected! As they should." 

Trump posted late Monday on Truth Social: Wow! Gavin Newscum just dropped out of the Presidential Race!!! President DJT."

Newsom has not officially launched a presidential campaign, but there is widespread speculation that he will.

The governor told CNN on Sunday that he would not run for the White House if his family was against it.

He also responded to Trump in a post on X, using it as an opportunity to promote his new memoir: "It’s on page 69 of my new book. Buy it here: http://Youngmaninahurrybook.com."

On Sunday, after the U.S. men's hockey team won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Italy, as the women's team did earlier in the games, Trump told the male players: “I must tell you, we're gonna have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.”

Trump also said jokingly, to laughs from the players, that if he didn’t invite the women, “I do believe I probably would be impeached, OK?” 

On Monday, the women's team declined Trump's invitation to attend the address Tuesday night on Capitol Hill, citing timing issues with other academic and professional commitments.

"We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement," a USA Hockey spokesperson told NBC News. "They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment."