Just two days ahead of President Trump’s scheduled visit to California, Governor Gavin Newsom remains uncertain about his opportunity to join the president on his tour of areas affected by wildfires. Newsom’s office stated that the governor is ready and willing to meet with Trump in Southern California on Friday, however, they have not received any official communication from the White House regarding this matter. Interestingly, Newsom’s team indicates that they learned of the president’s visit through unofficial channels.
This situation highlights the complex relationship between these two highly influential political figures. Newsom is currently facing a significant crisis that not only poses challenges for California’s recovery from the wildfires but also for his own presidential aspirations going forward. During last year’s presidential campaign, Newsom referred to Trump as a unique danger to the integrity of American democracy. Meanwhile, Trump has often ridiculed Newsom, even resorting to using derogatory nicknames like “Newscum.”
When asked about a potential meeting with Newsom on Wednesday, Trump stated that he had not given it much thought, leaving the question of their meeting open-ended. In recent weeks, Trump and his supporters—most notably tech billionaire Elon Musk—have criticized Newsom’s leadership regarding California’s wildfire response. Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested that federal wildfire aid to California might require certain conditions, aiming to impose changes within the state.
Political analysts recognize the delicate position Newsom finds himself in. Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College, noted the difficulty of balancing the need for federal aid while simultaneously feeling pressured to criticize Trump. This dual role complicates his responses, particularly with Trump being known for his sensitivity towards criticism.
The current wildfire situation is dire, with one of the most devastating natural disasters in the nation’s history unfolding. Fires, which had previously been under control, have reignited, prompting concerns as a large and aggressive wildfire broke out in the mountains north of Los Angeles. So far, over 14,000 structures have been destroyed in Los Angeles County alone, and at least 28 lives have been lost. The aftermath of this disaster could be incredibly costly and will necessitate cooperation between both the Trump and Newsom administrations.
Prior to arriving in California, Trump has scheduled a visit to western North Carolina, which is still recovering from Hurricane Helene—a natural disaster he has criticized Democratic leadership over. As of Wednesday afternoon, Newsom’s office had not yet heard from the White House, though the governor plans to be in Southern California that day and would be eager to meet with the president, as stated by Newsom spokesman Bob Salladay.
Historically, the two have appeared together during a previous disaster. For example, after a major fire in 2017, Trump jointly appeared with Newsom, who was then the governor-elect. At 57, Newsom is approaching the end of his term as governor and is already viewed as a leading candidate for the 2028 presidential elections. Despite his ambitions, he requires support from Trump and Republican lawmakers in Washington for significant disaster relief to effectively rebuild California.
Supporters anticipate that Newsom will announce his intention to run for the presidency at the conclusion of his governorship in 2026. However, they recognize the influence that his handling of the ongoing crisis will have on his future in politics. In recent days, the media-savvy Newsom has shifted his focus from political campaigning to addressing the wildfire crisis, spending most of his last two weeks on-site in Southern California and issuing numerous executive orders to expedite recovery efforts.
Last week, Newsom sent a letter to Republican leaders in Congress urging for speedy disaster relief without “conditions or prolonged negotiation.” Yet, there are indications that Republican leadership, spurred on by Trump, may impose conditions on any financial support. There are concerns among political allies outside California regarding the potential damage to Newsom’s reputation due to negative Republican commentary.
Representative Jasmine Crockett, a rising star in the Democratic Party from Texas, expressed faith in Newsom’s ability to counter Trump while underscoring the importance of framing the narrative surrounding the wildfires. She believes this will be vital in determining how effectively Newsom can maintain his image during the crisis.
Indeed, since the fires ignited, Newsom has notably toned down the anti-Trump rhetoric that characterized his previous campaigns. He has redirected the focus of a special legislative session intended to “Trump proof” California towards ensuring a robust response to the wildfires. Newsom acknowledged the need for collaboration in a statement made on Trump’s inauguration day, emphasizing the significance of partnership and mutual respect during such trying times.
One critical exception arises from Trump’s false claims regarding the state’s fire response, which have proliferated across social media. In reaction, Newsom’s staff has been prompted to counter misinformation, with more than half of recent media inquiries addressing unfounded conspiracies. In addition, the governor created a specific website aimed at combating false narratives surrounding the wildfires.
While Newsom has attempted to steer clear of direct conflicts with Trump, he has recently addressed Trump’s erroneous claims directly, referring to them as “nonsense” and “insulting.” In concluding remarks, Newsom expressed anticipation for Trump’s visit and an eagerness for federal assistance to aid in the recovery process for those affected by the fires.
