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Former President Donald Trump has publicly invited California Governor Gavin Newsom to enter the 2028 presidential race for the Democratic Party. However, Trump is quick to criticize Newsom’s handling of wildfires and various state issues, suggesting these failures may hinder any potential candidacy.
During a recent bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump seized the opportunity to criticize California’s high-speed rail initiative. He described the project as an emblem of poor financial oversight, directly linking it to Newsom.
Trump remarked, “A little train going from San Francisco to Los Angeles that’s being run by Gavin Newscum—the governor of California. Did you ever hear of Gavin Newsom? He has got that train—the worst cost overrun I’ve ever seen. It’s like totally out of control.” His dismissive tone underscored his longstanding skepticism about California’s infrastructure projects.
Despite his criticisms, Trump expressed a sense of camaraderie, stating, “I always liked Gavin and had a good relationship with him.” He highlighted his efforts in securing water resources for the state, noting, “I just got him a lot of water. I sent in people to open up that water because he refused to do it.” Trump’s assertive claim suggested that had his recommendations been followed, the devastation from wildfires could have been mitigated.
Addressing the severe wildfires that have plagued Los Angeles, Trump stated, “Those fires would have been put out very quickly.” He visited Southern California shortly after taking office to witness first-hand the extensive damage caused by the historic fires that ravaged thousands of acres and destroyed more than 10,000 structures.
In response to the catastrophic environment, Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to override California regulations regarding endangered species. This directive aimed to enhance water availability, facilitate debris removal in wildfire-affected areas, and initiate thorough investigations into Los Angeles’ federal grant expenditures.
Additionally, Trump insisted that the Department of the Interior act promptly to eliminate existing regulations he deemed burdensome, claiming they hindered efforts to optimize water deliveries for the Central Valley Project—an essential water management effort in California.
Returning to the contentious high-speed rail project, Trump labeled it as an example of poor governance. He stated, “I’ve watched a lot of stupid people build a lot of stupid things, but this is the worst cost overrun I’ve ever seen.” Originally expected to cost $33 billion and to be completed by 2020, the project now faces staggering estimated expenses of $106 billion.
Trump firmly declared, “This government is not going to pay,” reaffirming his stance during discussions with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. He implied that the Trump administration would not allocate funds to a project that he sarcastically remarked was “30 times over budget.”
In early February, Duffy initiated a Transportation Department review to examine whether the California High-Speed Rail Authority had fulfilled its commitments in receiving federal funding. He emphasized that if those commitments were unmet, the money might be redirected to more deserving infrastructure projects elsewhere in the nation.
As the prospect of the 2028 presidential election approaches, Trump reiterated his enthusiasm for Newsom to run. Notably, Newsom will be ineligible for re-election as California’s governor in 2026, given term limits. Nevertheless, Trump cautioned that multiple issues, including the high-speed rail project and wildfire management, could severely damage Newsom’s viability as a candidate.
As speculation swirls around Newsom’s potential candidacy, he has expressed interest in collaborating with the Trump administration to revitalize the film industry. In a statement, he proposed a $7.5 billion federal tax credit program aimed at bolstering television and film production in California.
Newsom articulated his vision on social media, stating, “California built the film industry—and we’re ready to bring even more jobs home. We’ve proven what strong state incentives can do. Now it’s time for a real federal partnership to Make America Film Again.” His ambitious proposal indicates an attempt to bridge political divides for the sake of economic revival.
The federal government has communicated that no final decisions have been made regarding Newsom’s proposal, though they are actively exploring options to align with Trump’s agenda to enhance America’s film industry.
In a Truth Social post, Trump recently announced plans for implementing a 100% tariff on all films produced abroad that enter the United States. This drastic move appears designed to protect American film production, resonating with his sentiments about prioritizing domestic industries.
As both political figures navigate these turbulent waters, their interactions and statements are critical to watch as they could shape the political landscape ahead of the next election cycle. The discussions on wildfire management, infrastructure spending, and revitalizing the film industry underscore the broader themes of governance and accountability that will likely play significant roles in the future.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
