Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom, other Democratic figures flock to debate to support Biden

Kathryn Palmer and Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY

June 27, 2024 at 8:34 p.m.·2 min read

ATLANTA - As former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden lay low in the final hours before the CNN Presidential Debate, a stream of politicians are holding court in the network’s “spin room” as each candidate’s campaign tries to maximize airtime.

These prominent lawmakers are putting on the political equivalent of a pre-game show, seeking to paint their candidate in the best light for the TV cameras and raise expectations for their opponent in the first head-to-head between Biden and Trump since the 2020 election.

Biden is calling on some familiar Democratic figures to represent him and his reelection campaign.

Presidential debate live updates: Follow along for live coverage from across the USA TODAY Network

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is reprising his role as a Biden surrogate Thursday, chatting to reporters in the spin-room just as he did after the Republican presidential primary debate in September. The Democrat has stepped up efforts over the last few months as one of the Biden campaign’s most prominent cheerleaders.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Trump’s behavior is alarming. “I am worried about President Trump’s mental capacity,” Newsom said. “I am worried about his ability to control himself.”

Trump used to be entertaining. Now, he said, “It’s blather.”

“I mean, it makes no sense, he’s talking about sharks and boats,” he said. “I am worried about his capacity to lead, I am worried about his mental acuity at the moment.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom at the Georgia TechÕs McCamish Pavilion prior to the CNN Presidential Debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump held at CNN's studios in Atlanta. CNN Anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are moderators of the debate.

Mary Trump, a psychologist, writer, niece and critic of former President Donald Trump, is also stumping for Biden at the CNN spin room ahead of Thursday’s CNN presidential debate.

“I’m in Atlanta tonight to remind everyone who Donald is as a person and how he would rule as a president because the stakes are far too high for us to get this wrong: We cannot afford to allow Donald Trump anywhere near the levers of power again,” Mary Trump said in a statement.

Former Atlanta Mayor and Biden-Harris 2024 Senior Advisor Keisha Lance-Bottoms, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Congressman Robert Garcia, Former Congressman Cedric Richmond and Senator Raphael Warnock are also expected to show up, according to the Biden campaign.

More: Will Donald Trump's VP pick be at the CNN debate on Thursday? What to know

Tune into the ‘CNN Presidential Debate’ on Thursday, June 27, at 9 p.m. ET on CNN or simulcast on USA TODAY’s YouTube channel.

Francesca Chambers is a White House Correspondent for USA Today covering foreign policy and the 2024 presidential race.

Kathryn Palmer is an elections fellow for USA TODAY. Reach her at kapalmer@gannett.com and follow her on X @KathrynPlmr.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Biden supported by Democratic leaders Newsom, Mary Trump at debate

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