Trump predicts California Gov. Gavin Newsom will be Democratic nominee for president

Sean Hannity’s Thursday night debate between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom is raising speculation about a 2024 presidential run from the former San Francisco mayor.

Former President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he suspects Newsom will ultimately be nominated by the Democratic Party because he “did well” in the debate and because he does not believe President Biden’s mental capacity and physical health will sustain throughout the election process next year.

“I don't think he makes it. I think he's bad shape physically,” Trump said during an Iowa forum with Fox News's Sean Hannity. “I watched him at the beach, he wasn't able to lift a beach chair which is meant for children.”

The 46th president, who has a had a long and storied career in the U.S. Senate representing the people of Delaware is now 81 years old.

Biden was also a candidate for the Democratic primary for president in 1988, but ultimately dropped out and the nomination was secured by Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis.

Dukakis, who now teaches at Northeastern University ultimately lost to then Vice-President George H. Bush who served from 1989-1993.  

Biden's health has raised questions from the media, become a popular targeting point for Republicans and even raised concerns among some Democrats.

When Hannity asked Trump who he believed could replace the former Delaware legislator as president in the upcoming 2024 elections, Trump said he believed Newsom was a possible contender.

“He's slick but he's got no facts,” Trump said of the California governor.

The former president also commented that Vice President Kamala Harris would be a strong contender to replace Biden if he decided to pass.

Trump’s speculation come amid Biden’s comments in which he insisted the only reason he was running for office was because Trump was running and he believed the former president presented a threat to democracy.

“If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running,” Biden told donors at the Massachusetts home of Democratic financial backer Alan Solomont who served as ambassador to Spain. “But we cannot let him win.”

Biden later amended his comments to reporters after he returned to the White House late Tuesday night.

When he was asked if he would be running if Trump were not, he said, “I expect so, but look, he is running and I have to run.”

When Biden was asked if he would drop out if Trump did, Biden said, “No, not now.”