Newsom yields to 'hierarchy of needs' in easing tensions with Trump
A former figure in the anti-Trump movement, Newsom mentioned that he had a "productive meeting" at the White House with the president regarding disaster aid for areas in Los Angeles affected by fires.
TroibNews 
SACRAMENTO, California — Governor Gavin Newsom's recent meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office lasted over 90 minutes and once again underscored the governor's readiness to temporarily step back from his position as a resistance leader.
During the meeting, Newsom expressed gratitude for the White House's support as he sought emergency federal funding for California’s recovery from fires in Los Angeles. His office described the encounter as "very productive," highlighting the prompt action taken by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin regarding debris removal efforts in the region.
“Thank you President Trump,” Newsom stated after the meeting, “for coming to our communities to see this firsthand, and meeting with me today to continue our joint efforts to support people impacted.”
This meeting further solidified a détente in the relationship between Newsom and Trump, which began when they met at LAX last month and exchanged light-hearted comments and a hug. Following that encounter, Newsom remarked that he appreciated his time with Trump.
Since November, Newsom’s approach has significantly evolved; at that time, he had called a special legislative session aimed at resisting Trump’s agenda through legal means, provoking a strong reaction from the then president-elect. This was even more pronounced given the absence of anti-Trump initiatives from his fellow Democratic leaders.
However, since Trump’s inauguration, several other prominent Democrats, including governors like Illinois' JB Pritzker and Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, have actively opposed Trump, particularly in light of the White House's funding freeze.
In contrast, Newsom has opted for cooperation, believing that his constituents would hold him accountable if he failed to work alongside Trump to secure federal disaster relief during the recovery efforts in Los Angeles.
“There's a hierarchy of needs when you're a governor. And when your state has a major crisis, like a fire where the federal government has a huge role to play, that becomes your number one need,” commented Matt Bennett, a Democratic strategist with experience in Bill Clinton's presidential campaigns. “There is no political imperative that's more important.”
Bennett likened Newsom’s strategy to that of Chris Christie after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when the New Jersey governor publicly collaborated with then-President Barack Obama. While Christie faced backlash from the Republican base during his presidential run, Bennett anticipates that Democrats would be more forgiving of Newsom should he pursue the presidency in 2028, citing a less rigid party culture.
Regardless of his future political ambitions, Newsom's handling of the fire crisis — one of the largest disasters during his tenure that also includes the coronavirus pandemic — will contribute to his legacy, particularly if Trump’s threats to withhold aid complicate California’s recovery efforts. Notably, the White House did not release a readout of the meeting.
The governor can afford to take a more subdued stance while other Democrats in California, who are not directly involved in negotiations with the president, adopt a more aggressive posture. Attorney General Rob Bonta pointed out that his role allows for a “different” approach to Trump than the governor’s.
“He's running full speed down his lane, and I'm running full speed down my lane,” Bonta remarked. “And, together, we're able to defend and protect Californians.”
As of now, this is the prevailing dynamic. However, Newsom could revert to a more confrontational stance as the fires diminish and the recovery process proceeds.
“It'll shift. This has nothing to do with Trump's honeymoon,” Bennett observed. “It has everything to do with federal disaster aid to California. And once that question is settled, I think Newsom will go back to being extremely hostile to Trump.”
If you enjoy this content, consider subscribing to PMG's California Playbook newsletter.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
During the meeting, Newsom expressed gratitude for the White House's support as he sought emergency federal funding for California’s recovery from fires in Los Angeles. His office described the encounter as "very productive," highlighting the prompt action taken by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin regarding debris removal efforts in the region.
“Thank you President Trump,” Newsom stated after the meeting, “for coming to our communities to see this firsthand, and meeting with me today to continue our joint efforts to support people impacted.”
This meeting further solidified a détente in the relationship between Newsom and Trump, which began when they met at LAX last month and exchanged light-hearted comments and a hug. Following that encounter, Newsom remarked that he appreciated his time with Trump.
Since November, Newsom’s approach has significantly evolved; at that time, he had called a special legislative session aimed at resisting Trump’s agenda through legal means, provoking a strong reaction from the then president-elect. This was even more pronounced given the absence of anti-Trump initiatives from his fellow Democratic leaders.
However, since Trump’s inauguration, several other prominent Democrats, including governors like Illinois' JB Pritzker and Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, have actively opposed Trump, particularly in light of the White House's funding freeze.
In contrast, Newsom has opted for cooperation, believing that his constituents would hold him accountable if he failed to work alongside Trump to secure federal disaster relief during the recovery efforts in Los Angeles.
“There's a hierarchy of needs when you're a governor. And when your state has a major crisis, like a fire where the federal government has a huge role to play, that becomes your number one need,” commented Matt Bennett, a Democratic strategist with experience in Bill Clinton's presidential campaigns. “There is no political imperative that's more important.”
Bennett likened Newsom’s strategy to that of Chris Christie after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when the New Jersey governor publicly collaborated with then-President Barack Obama. While Christie faced backlash from the Republican base during his presidential run, Bennett anticipates that Democrats would be more forgiving of Newsom should he pursue the presidency in 2028, citing a less rigid party culture.
Regardless of his future political ambitions, Newsom's handling of the fire crisis — one of the largest disasters during his tenure that also includes the coronavirus pandemic — will contribute to his legacy, particularly if Trump’s threats to withhold aid complicate California’s recovery efforts. Notably, the White House did not release a readout of the meeting.
The governor can afford to take a more subdued stance while other Democrats in California, who are not directly involved in negotiations with the president, adopt a more aggressive posture. Attorney General Rob Bonta pointed out that his role allows for a “different” approach to Trump than the governor’s.
“He's running full speed down his lane, and I'm running full speed down my lane,” Bonta remarked. “And, together, we're able to defend and protect Californians.”
As of now, this is the prevailing dynamic. However, Newsom could revert to a more confrontational stance as the fires diminish and the recovery process proceeds.
“It'll shift. This has nothing to do with Trump's honeymoon,” Bennett observed. “It has everything to do with federal disaster aid to California. And once that question is settled, I think Newsom will go back to being extremely hostile to Trump.”
If you enjoy this content, consider subscribing to PMG's California Playbook newsletter.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
