Newsom Intends to Join Trump During His LA Wildfire Tour
Since Trump left office in 2020, the Democratic governor and the Republican president have not communicated.
TroibNews 
SACRAMENTO, California — California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he had not yet received communication from Donald Trump ahead of the president's scheduled tour of wildfire damage in Los Angeles this Friday.
Regardless of any invitation, Newsom confirmed he plans to be at the airport for a traditional greeting. “I look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president, welcome him, and we’re making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,” Newsom stated to reporters on Thursday in Pasadena, where he signed two bills that allocate $2.5 billion for state recovery efforts. “There's no limit to the resources we'll provide for that briefing.”
Trump, who has had a contentious relationship with Newsom, is returning to California amid a congressional deadlock over linking federal disaster aid to the Democrat-led state. Republicans are advocating to tie the aid to an increase in the debt ceiling, while Trump has urged Newsom to meet his requests regarding water delivery and forest management.
The two have not conversed since Trump left office in 2020, and he has not responded to Newsom’s recent calls. However, with Trump’s arrival set for Friday afternoon, Newsom attempted to minimize their personal disputes.
“I have a lot of relationships in the Trump world; a lot of relationships of trust. I communicate with a lot of folks around him, folks that have his ear and influence,” he remarked, without divulging specific names. “This is a sideshow, a lot of this stuff, but I know it's the show that's probably the focus of a little bit too much tomorrow, when all I care about is what we can do together to move past this moment and start rowing in the same direction to get this region back on its feet.”
Newsom’s comments on Thursday highlighted the delicate balancing act he has had to maintain since wildfires erupted in Los Angeles earlier this month, resulting in at least 28 fatalities and the destruction of thousands of structures. He reiterated the state’s allocation of tens of millions of dollars for legal confrontations with the new administration, asserting that the special session expenditures were wise. He also criticized Trump for disseminating inaccurate information about the fires while emphasizing California's investments in wildfire preparedness. Simultaneously, he sought to appeal for federal recovery assistance.
In his appeal for Trump to overlook personal differences and support the state, Newsom mentioned a potential area for collaboration: the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “There's no daylight with the administration on that,” he noted. “And I think in so many ways, it only reinforces my confidence that the president and Congress will be there for the American people that happen to live here in Southern California,” he added.
Earlier this week, Trump commented on Fox News that he had not considered meeting with Newsom during his visit to Los Angeles. A spokesperson from the White House did not provide any remarks about the trip.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Regardless of any invitation, Newsom confirmed he plans to be at the airport for a traditional greeting. “I look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president, welcome him, and we’re making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,” Newsom stated to reporters on Thursday in Pasadena, where he signed two bills that allocate $2.5 billion for state recovery efforts. “There's no limit to the resources we'll provide for that briefing.”
Trump, who has had a contentious relationship with Newsom, is returning to California amid a congressional deadlock over linking federal disaster aid to the Democrat-led state. Republicans are advocating to tie the aid to an increase in the debt ceiling, while Trump has urged Newsom to meet his requests regarding water delivery and forest management.
The two have not conversed since Trump left office in 2020, and he has not responded to Newsom’s recent calls. However, with Trump’s arrival set for Friday afternoon, Newsom attempted to minimize their personal disputes.
“I have a lot of relationships in the Trump world; a lot of relationships of trust. I communicate with a lot of folks around him, folks that have his ear and influence,” he remarked, without divulging specific names. “This is a sideshow, a lot of this stuff, but I know it's the show that's probably the focus of a little bit too much tomorrow, when all I care about is what we can do together to move past this moment and start rowing in the same direction to get this region back on its feet.”
Newsom’s comments on Thursday highlighted the delicate balancing act he has had to maintain since wildfires erupted in Los Angeles earlier this month, resulting in at least 28 fatalities and the destruction of thousands of structures. He reiterated the state’s allocation of tens of millions of dollars for legal confrontations with the new administration, asserting that the special session expenditures were wise. He also criticized Trump for disseminating inaccurate information about the fires while emphasizing California's investments in wildfire preparedness. Simultaneously, he sought to appeal for federal recovery assistance.
In his appeal for Trump to overlook personal differences and support the state, Newsom mentioned a potential area for collaboration: the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “There's no daylight with the administration on that,” he noted. “And I think in so many ways, it only reinforces my confidence that the president and Congress will be there for the American people that happen to live here in Southern California,” he added.
Earlier this week, Trump commented on Fox News that he had not considered meeting with Newsom during his visit to Los Angeles. A spokesperson from the White House did not provide any remarks about the trip.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
