Gavin Newsom is eyeing the presidency in 2028. But he’s going to have to try harder than this.
Because an ABC reporter slapped Gavin Newsom with a brutal reality check he wasn’t ready for.
Karl Challenges Newsom’s Claim of Harmony with Trump
ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl directly questioned California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s assertion of a strong personal rapport with President Donald Trump during a Wednesday interview on Front Row with Jonathan Karl.
Newsom described their February White House meeting—held without press access to discuss disaster relief for the devastating January Los Angeles wildfires—as evidence of their bond. “We get along, you may not believe this, extraordinarily well,” Newsom insisted. “And have for years.”
Karl responded skeptically: “I have a hard time believing that,” before adding, “Actually, that is Trump though, isn’t it?” The exchange highlighted the tension between Newsom’s portrayal and the public record of sharp exchanges between the two leaders since Trump’s January return to office.
Despite the private session yielding a “very productive” outcome, per Newsom’s office press release emphasizing “unconditional disaster aid for survivors,” the governor’s subsequent actions suggested ongoing friction.
Newsom’s Quick Pivot to Criticism
Just days after the February meeting, Newsom approved $50 million in state funds on February 7 for legal defenses against the Trump administration, including $25 million for the state Department of Justice to challenge federal policies and another $25 million for nonprofits aiding immigrants facing deportation.
This escalation, part of a special legislative session Newsom convened post-election to “Trump-proof” California, drew Republican accusations of undermining bipartisan cooperation on wildfire recovery.
In the interview, Newsom acknowledged Trump’s aversion to “interpersonal confrontation,” citing his heated Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Yet he quickly turned accusatory: “But he’ll attack in public when you’re not there, and then he’ll be very nice to you when it’s—” Karl interjected, prompting Newsom’s retort: “Yeah. And then he’ll lie about things. He’s just, look, this is something altogether different. There’s nothing, except it’s not. It’s more of the same… we’re experiencing it in real time, and in real time, we’re losing our country.”
Newsom’s remarks preceded complaints about insufficient federal aid for the Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires, which razed thousands of homes, destroyed landmarks like the Pasadena Jewish Temple, and displaced hundreds, k*lling at least 31 people across the blazes. Trump had publicly faulted Newsom for inadequate water management, blaming environmental policies protecting species like the delta smelt.
Backlash Mounts Over Wildfire Response
The governor’s handling of the January fires has fueled widespread criticism, with residents in Pacific Palisades filing a lawsuit against the state and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for a “campaign of misinformation” to evade responsibility for low water pressure and delayed evacuations.
Reports revealed evacuation orders arrived too late in Altadena’s Eaton Fire zones, where homes burned unchecked, and similar delays plagued Pacific Palisades. An independent review commissioned by Los Angeles County faulted resource shortages and convoluted communication across agencies.
Newsom, facing scrutiny over delayed hydrant refills and politicized response efforts, has ordered further probes while touting state aid packages exceeding $2.5 billion.
As rebuilding stalls amid conspiracy theories and funding disputes, the interview exposed Newsom’s challenge: balancing private diplomacy with public defiance, even as his 2028 presidential ambitions loom.
