President Donald Trump has publicly stated his desire for California Governor Gavin Newsom to launch a bid for the White House as a Democratic candidate. However Trump simultaneously expressed skepticism about Newsom’s potential success attributing it to the governor’s handling of wildfires the high speed rail project and other issues within California.
During a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Trump took the opportunity to criticize Newsom specifically targeting California’s high speed rail project. He referred to Newsom using the slightly altered name "New-scum" and described the project as the "worst cost overrun I’ve ever seen" characterizing it as "totally out of control."
Despite his criticism Trump also claimed to have a positive relationship with Newsom stating that he has "always liked Gavin." He highlighted his administration’s efforts to increase water availability in California asserting that he "sent in people to open up that water because he refused to do it." Trump further suggested that his administration’s water management policies could have prevented the devastating fires in Los Angeles.
In January shortly after assuming office Trump visited Southern California to assess the damage caused by wildfires that had ravaged the region destroying thousands of acres and buildings. Following this visit Trump issued an executive order aimed at overriding California’s environmental regulations to increase water supply expedite debris removal and investigate the City of Los Angeles’ use of federal grants. He also directed the Department of the Interior to override existing regulations that he believed hindered water deliveries to the Central Valley Project.
Returning to the topic of the high speed rail project Trump remarked that he has "watched a lot of stupid people build a lot of stupid things" but considers this project to be the "worst cost overrun I’ve ever seen." The California high speed rail project originally intended to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles in under three hours was initially projected to cost $33 billion and be completed by 2020. However the project has faced numerous challenges including funding shortages cost overruns and delays. Current estimates suggest that the project’s total cost could reach $106 billion.
Trump declared that his administration would not provide further funding for the project telling Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that they are "not going to pay for that thing" deeming it "30 times over budget." In February Duffy initiated a Transportation Department review to assess whether the California High Speed Rail Authority had met its commitments in exchange for federal funding. Duffy warned that if the authority had not fulfilled its obligations the funds could be redirected to other infrastructure projects across the United States.
Looking ahead to the 2028 presidential election Trump reiterated his desire to see Newsom run. Newsom is ineligible to seek re-election as California governor in 2026 due to term limits. Trump however remained doubtful about Newsom’s chances of success stating that the high speed rail project the wildfires and "a lot of other things" would likely disqualify him.
While Newsom has been rumored to be considering a presidential bid he has not made any formal announcement. In a statement to The New York Times Newsom expressed a willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration on a $7.5 billion federal tax credit program aimed at boosting the TV and film production industry. He emphasized California’s historical role in building the film industry and advocated for a "real federal partnership to Make America Film Again."
The White House has stated that "no final decisions" have been made regarding the tax credit program and that the administration is "exploring all options" to fulfill Trump’s directive to "safeguard our country’s national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again."
Previously Trump announced his intention to impose a 100% tariff on all movies produced in foreign countries signaling a potential shift in trade policy related to the entertainment industry. He instructed the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to initiate the process.
