Gavin Newsom mocks Trump's narrative of 'failing' California economy ahead of POTUS' LA trip
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: President Trump touched down in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 4th night, for a Republican National Committee fundraiser at his golf club.
Not missing a beat, Gov Gavin Newsom jumped right in and took a shot at him, calling out the administration’s recent habit of taking equity stakes in American companies and reminding everyone that several of those companies are based in California.
Gavin Newsom fires back on crime, fraud and taxes
Newsom's office posted, "MAGA loves 'government ownership' when it is 'their' government. Republican Socialists of America???"
DONALD “BRUISED HANDS” TRUMP IS IN LA TONIGHT RAISING MONEY FOR THE RNC — WHILE HIS OWN ADMINISTRATION BUYS OWNERSHIP IN CALIFORNIA COMPANIES LIKE IT'S THE SOVIET UNION! MAGA LOVES "GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP” WHEN IT IS “THEIR” GOVERNMENT. REPUBLICAN SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA ??? THE ONLY…
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 4, 2026
The post argued the only reason Trump bothers visiting is that California's economy, now larger than Texas' and Florida's combined, is thriving, the same economy Trump routinely calls "failing."
"Can't have it both ways, Donald!" the post added.
The trip marks Trump's first stop in California in roughly 18 months, part of a two-day western swing that also takes him to Las Vegas on Wednesday.
The White House has framed the visit as an opportunity to contrast Trump's economic record with Newsom's governance of the state, as Newsom continues to be widely floated as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender.
Newsom’s team didn’t just talk about the economy.
They pushed back hard, calling out what they described as Trump’s “tired falsehoods” about California.
In a detailed statement, they pointed to a July report from the governor’s office: crime has dropped across the board since Newsom took over.
Homicides down to 20%, now at their lowest level since 1966. Plus, robberies, property crime, car thefts, and violent crime rates all fell, too.
Donald Trump is coming to California for the first time in 18 months — not to deliver the federal disaster aid Los Angeles wildfire survivors have been waiting for, but to raise money for himself and attack California with the same tired falsehoods.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 4, 2026
Want to talk about crime?… https://t.co/T9Cdzz2gvG pic.twitter.com/4plKYOryTI
When it came to fraud, the team highlighted current anti-fraud enforcement efforts in the state. On taxes, they brought up data from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy showing that working families actually pay less in California than in Texas or Florida.
Wildfire aid remains a central sticking point
Setting aside the political back-and-forth, Newsom took Trump’s visit as a chance to demand federal wildfire recovery funds, money that’s still missing for families in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu, even though the fires happened almost a year and a half ago.
Newsom’s office reminded everyone about Trump’s promise from January 2025 to “take care of Los Angeles,” highlighting that survivors are still left in the lurch, waiting for that pledge to turn into actual help. The governor’s team wrapped it up with a pretty direct welcome.
"While you're here, Mr President, welcome to the world's fourth-largest economy, growing faster than Texas and Florida combined. Enjoy your stay."
The exchange is the latest in an increasingly public back-and-forth between the two, as Newsom continues to use Trump's own visits and talking points as opportunities to draw contrasts ahead of a possible national run.
