A Portrait of Power: How an FDR Painting Sparked a Third-Term Discussion

A portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt hanging in the Oval Office became the centerpiece of an unsettling conversation about presidential power, according to Governor Gavin Newsom. He revealed that Donald Trump used the painting as a prop to launch into a discussion about his own potential third term.
Newsom recounted the moment during a 90-minute meeting with the president. He said Trump pointed to the portrait of the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms and then began to elaborate on the idea of doing the same. “I said: ‘I know exactly what you mean,’” Newsom recalled.
This anecdote provides a powerful visual and a specific origin point for Newsom’s now-public warnings. It transforms a general fear about Trump’s intentions into a concrete scene, making the threat seem more immediate and real.
By sharing this detail, Newsom is not just making an accusation; he is telling a story designed to resonate with the public. It’s a story about ambition, historical precedent, and the alleged willingness of a modern president to ignore the constitutional amendment created in response to FDR’s long tenure.