Trump Reacts to Newsom’s Presidential Aspirations
President Trump expressed surprise at California Governor Gavin Newsom’s consideration of a presidential run, highlighting the challenges facing the state under what he called “incompetent” Democratic leadership.
In an interview with the California Post on Friday, following his administration’s lawsuit against California over its sanctuary policies, Trump remarked, “I’m surprised that Mr. Gavin wants to run for president.” He has been quite vocal about his disapproval of Newsom’s management of the state.
Owning a golf course in California, Trump seems to have a particular disdain for the current leadership. “People love the California dream, but they hate what’s happening to them,” he noted, emphasizing the need for “proper leadership,” which he claims Newsom lacks.
As for Newsom, he has adopted a brash social media style reminiscent of Trump’s in a bid to elevate his national profile. Reports indicate he is currently leading polls for the 2028 Democratic primary.
His approval rating among Democrats stands at 24%, outpacing other potential candidates like Vice President Kamala Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Trump also suggested that Newsom’s record would prove detrimental during his campaign, particularly pointing to the costly “train to nowhere” high-speed rail project intended to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco.
This rail initiative, now the most expensive of its kind in the U.S. at $135 billion, has come under fire for its delays and budget overruns. “We’re back on track,” Newsom recently claimed in a State of the Union address, asserting that significant progress has been made.
However, Trump is not impressed. “He had a train. It was a train going everywhere. It was supposed to be a simple train going from San Francisco to Los Angeles,” he criticized. “This is the biggest cost overrun I’ve ever seen.” He went on to assert he could have completed the project far more efficiently.
Originally slated for completion in 2020, the project now has a target completion date of 2030, limited to a section of the Central Valley. Moreover, funding issues have plagued it for years, often requiring California taxpayers to shoulder the financial burden.
Trump described his relationship with Newsom as having shifted from friendly during the former’s first term to “desperate.” “They have turned to the radical left. They are crazy,” he said.
Amid his presidential ambitions, Newsom attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he criticized Trump, claiming world leaders had submitted to the former president’s influence.
Trump confirmed that he and Newsom spoke while in Switzerland but offered no specifics about their discussion, simply stating, “I talked to him. I talked to him well.”
