The Don Lemon Show
The Don Lemon Show
June 23, 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Governor Wes Moore DESTROYS Trump. He Is Not Backing Down!

YouTube · N5SPa296_vQ

Quick Read

Maryland Governor Wes Moore details his aggressive state-level fight against perceived threats to democracy and economic fairness, directly challenging Donald Trump's actions and leadership style.
Moore asserts that Trump is actively trying to 'upend the rules' of democracy through actions like seeking unredacted voter rolls, opposing mail-in ballots, and advocating for partisan redistricting.
Maryland has passed a state Voting Rights Act, banned supermarket price manipulation based on consumer data, and outlawed book bans, demonstrating proactive state governance.
Moore calls for active 'fight' against perceived threats to democracy and economic fairness, rejecting political complacency and contrasting his approach with Trump's 'selfish' leadership.

Summary

Maryland Governor Wes Moore discusses his re-election campaign and his proactive stance against what he views as attacks on democracy by Donald Trump and the federal administration. Moore outlines specific actions taken in Maryland, such as passing a Voting Rights Act, banning supermarket price manipulation, and prohibiting book bans, framing these as necessary state-level resistance when Washington fails to act. He contrasts this 'fight' with the perceived complacency of some Democrats and criticizes Trump's leadership as selfish and focused on rigging rules rather than delivering results, drawing a stark comparison to the selfless public service exemplified by the Obama Presidential Center.
Governor Moore's interview highlights a growing strategy among state-level Democratic leaders to proactively counter federal policies and perceived threats to democratic institutions, rather than waiting for national action. His emphasis on direct, aggressive legislative responses in areas like voting rights, economic fairness, and education offers a blueprint for how states can act as bulwarks against federal shifts, potentially shaping future national political leadership and policy debates.

Takeaways

  • Governor Moore is actively campaigning for his re-election and a slate of endorsed candidates in Maryland, emphasizing the need for 'fighters' to push back against federal actions and advance state values.
  • He accuses Donald Trump of attempting to 'upend' democracy through efforts to access voter rolls, eliminate mail-in balloting, place federal agents at polling places, and encourage mid-decade redistricting in 'red' states.
  • Maryland has proactively passed a state Voting Rights Act to prevent federal discrimination or rollback of voting rights within the state.
  • Moore highlights Maryland's legislative achievements, including banning supermarket price manipulation based on consumer data, prohibiting prediction market trading by state employees, and signing legislation against book bans.
  • He draws a strong contrast between the selfless, service-oriented leadership of the Obamas, as represented by their Presidential Center, and Trump's 'selfish' focus on personal enrichment and 'rigging the rules'.
  • Moore stresses that Democrats must actively 'fight' against perceived threats to democracy and not be complacent, drawing parallels to historical civil rights struggles like the Selma marches.

Insights

1Trump's Perceived Efforts to Undermine Democracy

Governor Moore explicitly states that Donald Trump is attempting to 'upend the rules' of democracy. He cites several examples: Trump's efforts to gain access to unredacted voter rolls (which a Trump-appointed judge ruled illegal), his push to eliminate mail-in balloting, his suggestion of placing federal agents around voting booths, and his advocacy for mid-decade redistricting in Republican states while expecting Democratic states to remain passive.

When you're watching the president talking about things like eliminating mail-in balloting... When you're watching the president of the United States talking about putting federal agents around voting booths... When you're watching the president of the United States say that I think Republican states and red states should do mid-decade redistricting while Democratic states should sit on our hands and do nothing.

2Maryland's Proactive Legislative Resistance

In response to federal inaction and perceived threats, Maryland has implemented several aggressive legislative measures. These include passing a state Voting Rights Act to safeguard against federal discrimination, becoming the first state to ban supermarket price manipulation based on consumer data, and enacting legislation that prohibits the banning of books.

We were actually able to pass a voting rights act into law... I actually made Maryland is the first state in the country that actually passed a law banning price manipulation in supermarkets... I signed legislation banning the banning of books. You're not going to ban books inside the state of Maryland.

3Critique of Trump's Leadership Style vs. Obama's Legacy

Moore draws a sharp contrast between what he describes as Trump's 'selfish' and self-enriching leadership, characterized by extensive stock trading and personal gain, and the 'selfless' public service exemplified by Barack and Michelle Obama. He highlights the Obama Presidential Center as a template for future leaders, focused on community and planning, rather than personal dedication.

We are watching a president who has spent the first quarter of this year doing over 20 over over 3,700 stock trades... We're watching a president who is who is who is made him and his family billions of dollars... It was such a beautiful reminder that leadership should be selfless and not selfish. Um and even if you look at what they dedicated, right? A presidential center. Um it's not a dedication to them.

Bottom Line

Governors are positioned to be the 'next leaders' due to their executive experience and ability to deliver tangible results, filling a void left by federal gridlock.

So What?

This suggests a potential shift in political power and influence towards state executives, who are seen as more capable of addressing practical issues like affordability, housing, and protecting freedoms, rather than federal politicians focused on rhetoric or 'strongly worded letters'.

Impact

For political strategists, investing in and promoting gubernatorial talent could be a key long-term strategy for national leadership. For citizens, focusing on state and local elections becomes even more critical for immediate policy impact.

Lessons

  • Actively engage in state and local politics to counter federal policies or inaction, as states can implement proactive legislation to protect rights and address economic issues.
  • Support independent and local journalism to combat the manipulation of information and ensure access to diverse perspectives, especially when larger media outlets may align with specific political agendas.
  • Reject political complacency and be prepared to 'fight' for democratic values and rights, drawing inspiration from historical struggles for civil liberties.

State-Level Resistance to Federal Overreach and Inaction

1

Proactively legislate to protect voting rights at the state level, creating safeguards against federal attempts to restrict access or discriminate.

2

Implement innovative economic policies, such as banning data-driven price manipulation in essential sectors like supermarkets, to directly address cost-of-living issues for citizens.

3

Counter federal cultural or educational policies (e.g., book bans) with state legislation that explicitly protects intellectual freedom and access to diverse information.

Notable Moments

Governor Moore recounts his personal experience marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma with the oldest living freedom fighter, reflecting on the sacrifices made for voting rights.

This moment underscores the deep historical context and personal commitment behind his aggressive stance on protecting voting rights, framing the current political struggle as a continuation of past civil rights movements and a moral imperative.

Quotes

"

"He knows he cannot win the race on his results. You're not going to win an election when you say, 'By the way, gas prices are up, energy prices are up, inflation's at three-year highs, we're fighting wars that no one understands. I'm focusing on on on on on ballrooms and Bitcoin and I've made my family billions of dollars while your family continues to suffer. But by the way, vote for me in November.' He knows he's not going to win on that platform. So what do you do? You cheat. You rig the rules."

Governor Wes Moore
"

"They did it so we could have a voice. They did it so we could have the right to vote. And now to sit there and think that when those basic rights that they fought for, now that they are under attack and we're going to sit there and say, 'It's too dangerous to fight?' I mean, ain't no way. They did not flinch. So, neither will we."

Governor Wes Moore
"

"I will work with anyone, but I will not bow to no one. That is not who we are. That's not how we were trained, and that is not our legacy. And in this moment, we are going to show those folks who came before us that now that the baton's in our hand, that we understand the assignment."

Governor Wes Moore

Q&A

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