Just two days prior to the scheduled arrival of Air Force One in California, Governor Gavin Newsom is uncertain if he will be welcomed to accompany President Donald Trump during his wildfire tour.
Newsom’s office confirmed the Democratic governor is ready and willing to meet with the Republican president on Friday in Southern California, but the White House has not communicated any details regarding this possibility.
Indeed, Newsom’s team has only been informed about Trump’s visit through external sources, highlighting the ongoing tension between these two politically opposing figures—each a significant force in their respective parties.
As Newsom confronts a crisis that threatens to hinder California’s recovery efforts and impact his own presidential aspirations, he reflects on Trump’s words from last year’s campaign, where he labeled the president as a profound danger to American democracy.
Trump, on his part, frequently derides the governor, calling him “scum” or derisively referring to him as “Newscum.”
Recent weeks have seen Trump and his supporters, including billionaire Elon Musk on social media, questioning Newsom’s governance, often spreading misinformation about California’s response to the disasters. Furthermore, House Speaker Mike Johnson hinted that federal wildfire assistance might have conditions imposed to encourage changes in the state.
“It’s a challenging position for the governor,” remarked Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College in California. “He needs to collaborate with the president to secure federal resources for his state while facing pressure to criticize Trump as a national political figure, which is a complicated balancing act, particularly with such a sensitive president.”
California faces urgent challenges due to one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history.
Although officials had managed to regain control over the fires, a significant blaze erupted on Wednesday in the mountains north of Los Angeles.
So far, more than 14,000 structures have been lost in Los Angeles County, with at least 28 fatalities reported. The recovery process may turn out to be one of the costliest in U.S. history, necessitating cooperation between the Trump and Newsom administrations.
Before his visit to California, Trump is expected to examine areas in western North Carolina that are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Helene, another major disaster where the president previously criticized Democratic leadership.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Newsom’s office had yet to receive any information from the White House regarding the president’s California itinerary. According to Newsom’s spokesperson, Bob Salladay, the governor plans to be in Southern California on that day and would welcome a meeting with Trump if timelines align.
“We have not received any updates from the White House regarding Friday’s visit,” Salladay stated. “The governor is ready to meet with the president if logistics permit.”
This isn’t the first time the two have shared a stage. Following another significant fire event in 2017, Trump made an appearance alongside Newsom, who was then the governor-elect.
Questions directed to the White House about Trump’s plans for California went unanswered.
Notably, Newsom, 57, is nearing the end of his term as governor but is already viewed as a top contender for the 2028 presidential election.
He requires the cooperation of Trump and Republican allies in Congress to secure substantial federal aid needed to restore his state.
Supporters believe Newsom will eventually declare his candidacy for president after he finishes his governor term in 2026, though they recognize that his long-term political future will depend significantly on how he handles the current disaster situation.
In this regard, the typically media-savvy Newsom has largely refrained from discussing politics recently. Over the last 16 days, he has spent 12 of them at scenes impacted by the fires, as reported by his office.
He has also issued 12 executive orders aimed at expediting recovery efforts, including some actions to bypass existing regulations.
In a letter last week addressed to Republican leaders in Congress, Newsom sought expedited disaster relief without any conditions or lengthy negotiations. While Republican leadership appears inclined to impose conditions, specific details remain elusive.
Some potential political allies outside California express concern that Newsom’s reputation could suffer from ongoing Republican criticisms.
“Newsom has established himself as a formidable opponent to Trump, showcasing the strength people seek in leadership,” commented Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, a rising star in the Democratic Party.
“However, the outcome will heavily rely on how the narrative surrounding the wildfires unfolds and whether the public is misled into believing he cannot manage disaster responses effectively,” Crockett added, referring to Trump’s critiques of Newsom.
Since the fires ignited in Los Angeles earlier this month, Newsom has notably shifted away from the anti-Trump rhetoric that characterized his previous campaign.
Recently, the governor modified the focus of a special legislative session intended to counter Trump’s influence to emphasize fire response efforts instead.
In alignment with House Speaker Johnson and several Republican governors, Newsom also directed that U.S. flags be flown at full height on Trump’s Inauguration Day.
He released a respectful statement on the day of Trump’s inauguration, emphasizing the need for “common ground.”
“In light of one of the worst natural disasters in America’s history, it’s critical to recognize the necessity for cooperation, a commitment to factual information, and mutual regard—principles that enable effective governance and meaningful action,” said Newsom.
However, there is one significant caveat.
Newsom and his aides have actively contradicted overt misinformation spread by Trump and his supporters concerning their response to the fires, which has circulated on social media and required considerable attention from the governor’s staff.
According to Newsom’s office, over half of all recent media inquiries have been directly linked to unfounded conspiracy theories.
To combat misinformation, the governor launched a dedicated website.
While he has generally sought to avoid direct confrontation with Trump, Newsom did not shy away from contesting Trump’s erroneous assertion during his inaugural address that California’s fires were still ravaging the state “without even a token of defense.”
“It’s false. And it’s offensive,” Newsom expressed in a message to his supporters.
“The bravery shown by firefighters from California and across North America has prevented this tragic wildfire from escalating into something far worse for many more families.”
He concluded by expressing anticipation for Trump’s upcoming visit to Los Angeles and the mobilization of federal resources to assist in the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
