Trump and Newsom Exchange Hollywood Embrace Following LA Wildfires
The president has been vocal in his criticism of California and Governor Gavin Newsom. However, on Friday, he extended an embrace to the ambitious Democrat and committed to collaborating with the beleaguered Golden State.
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump stepped off the plane and embraced California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday during a visit to fire-ravaged Los Angeles, a gesture reminiscent of the notable hug exchanged between New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and President Barack Obama after Hurricane Sandy. This encounter came just hours after the White House extended a late invitation to Newsom, seemingly putting Trump at ease as he introduced Newsom to the gathered press. Both leaders expressed a commitment to collaborate on rebuilding efforts for Los Angeles.
“We're going to need your help. You were there for us during Covid. I don't forget that, and I have all the expectations that we'll be able to work together to get this speedy recovery,” Newsom stated.
Trump concurred, affirming, “We’ve got to get it done.”
He further remarked, “Tremendous numbers of lives have been affected — a lot of real estate has been affected. Nobody's ever probably seen anything like this. You can almost say, since the Second World War, would you think of it? I mean, nothing like this has happened, and we're going to get it … permanently fixed so it can't happen again and again.”
Despite their history of disputes over various issues—Newsom being a prominent critic during the 2024 presidential campaign and frequently targeted by Trump under the nickname “Newscum”—the two have also found common ground during times of crisis, including natural disasters throughout Trump’s first term.
On the flight to Los Angeles aboard Air Force One, press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed journalists traveling with the president that “Trump is always willing to work with anyone to solve problems on behalf of the American people.” However, she added, “But certainly Gavin Newsom, or ‘Newscum’ as President Trump likes to call him, has wronged the people of his state.”
Upon arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, Trump indicated to Newsom that they would continue their discussions later. Earlier in the day, Trump mentioned that California would need to adopt voter ID laws and align with his water policy approach to qualify for disaster aid—measures that are generally opposed by state Democrats. Nonetheless, the atmosphere among them was friendly as Trump, dressed in a suit and black MAGA hat, and Newsom, who was more casually attired, bantered amiably.
“We’re working to get something completed,” Trump said. "He's the governor of this state, and we're going to get it completed. They're going to need a lot of federal help.”
He then turned to Newsom, asking, "Unless you don't need any?"
Newsom responded, "We're going to need a lot of federal help.”
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
“We're going to need your help. You were there for us during Covid. I don't forget that, and I have all the expectations that we'll be able to work together to get this speedy recovery,” Newsom stated.
Trump concurred, affirming, “We’ve got to get it done.”
He further remarked, “Tremendous numbers of lives have been affected — a lot of real estate has been affected. Nobody's ever probably seen anything like this. You can almost say, since the Second World War, would you think of it? I mean, nothing like this has happened, and we're going to get it … permanently fixed so it can't happen again and again.”
Despite their history of disputes over various issues—Newsom being a prominent critic during the 2024 presidential campaign and frequently targeted by Trump under the nickname “Newscum”—the two have also found common ground during times of crisis, including natural disasters throughout Trump’s first term.
On the flight to Los Angeles aboard Air Force One, press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed journalists traveling with the president that “Trump is always willing to work with anyone to solve problems on behalf of the American people.” However, she added, “But certainly Gavin Newsom, or ‘Newscum’ as President Trump likes to call him, has wronged the people of his state.”
Upon arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, Trump indicated to Newsom that they would continue their discussions later. Earlier in the day, Trump mentioned that California would need to adopt voter ID laws and align with his water policy approach to qualify for disaster aid—measures that are generally opposed by state Democrats. Nonetheless, the atmosphere among them was friendly as Trump, dressed in a suit and black MAGA hat, and Newsom, who was more casually attired, bantered amiably.
“We’re working to get something completed,” Trump said. "He's the governor of this state, and we're going to get it completed. They're going to need a lot of federal help.”
He then turned to Newsom, asking, "Unless you don't need any?"
Newsom responded, "We're going to need a lot of federal help.”
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
