Trump sticks it to Elon Musk and Gavin Newsom as he signs resolution blocking California gas car ban

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, June 12, signed a resolution to block California's plan to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, something which was supported by California Governor Gavin Newsom and could have been a boon for Elon Musk's Tesla.

Trump stuck it to both Musk and Newsom with the stroke of a pen. The signing ceremony included a speech with some of Trump's greatest hits, as he voiced his hatred for windmills, sharks, and battery-powered boats, according to the Daily Mail.

Donald Trump signs resolution blocking California gas car ban

During the signing ceremony, Donald Trump also brought up his fallout with Elon Musk, which happened last week. The POTUS claimed that on his first day in office, he ended the "Green New Scam" and also abolished the electric vehicle mandate at the federal level, per the outlet.

Trump said on Thursday, "Now we know why Elon doesn't like me so much. Which he does actually, he does."

The MAGA leader also said he found it "very interesting" that the tech billionaire supported him during the 2024 race, despite knowing that he planned to do away with the Biden-era EV mandates.

"And Elon still endorsed me. And honestly, he never spoke to me about that. And I used to say I'm amazed that he's endorsing me because it can't be good for him," the president said.

He went on to quote Musk, recalling, "He said, 'Well, as long as it's happening to everybody, I'll be able to compete.'" Trump described it as "a very honest answer."

Last week, Trump and the Tesla CEO were slamming each other over the billionaire's criticism of the POTUS' "One Big Beautiful Bill," which Musk argued destroyed his efforts of federal cost-cutting.

The tension between the two has since simmered, as Trump has now shifted his focus towards Newsom, amid unrest in downtown Los Angeles over the president's mass deportation efforts. 

Trump said on Thursday, "Under the previous administration, the federal government gave left-wing radicals in California dictatorial powers to control the future of the entire car industry all over the country — all over the world."

He added, "They approved Gov Gavin Newscum's ridiculous plan to impose a 100 percent ban on all new gas-powered cars within a very short period of time."

"Think of this, you can't buy any other car except an electric-powered car, and in California, they have blackouts and brownouts. They don't have enough electricity right now," the POTUS mentioned.

Trump also called the policy "ridiculous" and segued into an ordeal, where he was battling with the California governor over his decision to deploy National Guard troops to LA to quell the anti-ICE protests, as per the Daily Mail.

Donald Trump says bills he signed would 'kill the California mandates forever'

During his speech on Thursday, Donald Trump also said that he would "officially rescue the US auto industry from destruction" by scrapping California's ambitious regulatory plan for cars and trucks, according to the New York Post.

The POTUS also stressed that a trio of bills he signed in the White House East Room would "kill the California mandates forever," per the outlet.

"You can’t do anything about it, they can’t take us to court, they can’t do any of the things they can do with executive orders, and it’s permanent," Trump said.

He added, "They said it couldn’t be done. They’d pass these crazy rules in California and 17 states would go by them. Automakers wouldn’t know what to do because they’re really building cars for two countries, when you have 17 states."

Trump also said during his speech, "We’re not going to let windmills get built because we’re not going to destroy our country any further than it’s already been destroyed."

"You go and look at these beautiful plains and valleys and they’re loaded up with this garbage that gets worse and worse looking with time — starts when the rust comes, 4.5 years… So we’re not going to approve windmills unless something happens that’s an emergency. I guess it could happen, but we’re not doing any of them," the president added.