During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Donald Trump delivered a scathing assessment of California Governor Gavin Newsom's leadership capabilities.
According to Breitbart, Trump criticized Newsom's handling of the state's high-speed rail project and wildfire management, declaring these failures have effectively ended any chance of a successful presidential bid.
The remarks came during a White House press briefing where Trump hosted newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The president's comments focused particularly on California's troubled bullet train project, which has faced significant cost overruns and scaled-back plans that now exclude direct routes to San Francisco and Los Angeles city centers.
Trump expressed strong disapproval of the high-speed rail project's financial management. He highlighted how the original route had been modified to terminate 25 miles short of both San Francisco and Los Angeles. The president suggested that providing limousine service between the two cities would have been more cost-effective than the current rail project.
The project's budget has reportedly exceeded initial estimates by what Trump claims is "30 times." He emphasized that his administration, through Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, would not provide federal funding for the project's completion.
Trump's criticism extended beyond the rail project to California's ongoing struggle with wildfires. He referenced his administration's previous efforts to address water management issues in the state.
President Trump addressed Newsom's response to his administration, stating:
In California — a little train going from San Francisco to Los Angeles. That's being run by Gavin Newscum [sic], the governor of California. Did you ever hear of Gavin Newscum? That train is the worst cost overrun I've ever seen. It's like, totally out of control. So then they said, all right, we won't go into San Francisco, we'll stop 25 miles short. And we won't go into Los Angeles, we'll stop 25 miles short. It's hundreds of billions of dollars for this stupid project that should've never been built.
The relationship between the two leaders has become increasingly confrontational during Trump's second term. Governor Newsom has filed 15 lawsuits against the Trump administration within its first 100 days, highlighting the growing political tension between California and the federal government.
Trump mentioned his previous "good relationship" with Newsom, particularly regarding water management assistance. However, the president suggested that Newsom's refusal to follow federal recommendations contributed to the severity of the Los Angeles fires.
The implications of these infrastructure challenges extend beyond state borders. Trump's criticism of the bullet train project emphasizes broader concerns about public infrastructure investment and project management.
These developments occur against the backdrop of speculation about potential Democratic presidential candidates. Trump expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of facing Newsom in a presidential race, suggesting the governor's track record would make him an advantageous opponent.
The high-speed rail project continues to face scrutiny as costs mount and completion timelines extend further into the future.
President Trump's criticism of Governor Gavin Newsom centered on two major issues plaguing California: the troubled high-speed rail project and wildfire management. The president's comments during his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted the mounting challenges facing California's infrastructure initiatives. With 15 lawsuits filed against the Trump administration in its first 100 days and ongoing debates over project funding, the relationship between California's state government and federal leadership remains contentious, potentially impacting future infrastructure development and disaster response coordination.
