President Trump and Gov. Newsom Shake Hands, Promise to Work Together on Wildfire Relief
President Trump and Gov. Newsom Trade War of Words for a Few Handshakes
President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom traded their war of words for a few handshakes Friday afternoon. The two leaders, both vociferous critics of each other, met on the tarmac at LAX around 3 p.m. Friday as Trump touched down to survey the catastrophic damage caused by the spate of wildfires in Southern California this year.
Newsom, dressed in a casual button-up, was the first to greet a black MAGA hat-wearing Trump as he descended the stairs from his plane. The two clasped hands and exchanged some words — there were no microphones but Newsom often gesticulated at the president — before they and first lady Melania Trump walked over to where reporters and cameras waited.
A Cordial Meeting
Trump and Newsom, at least in front of the cameras, were cordial. Trump didn’t refer to the governor as “Newscum” as he is wont to do on social media. And Newsom didn’t call the president an “idiot” as he has done in the past.
“I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me,” Trump said, reaching for another handshake. “We’ll be talking in a little bit. We want to get it fixed.”
“Thank you for being here,” Newsom said. “It means a great deal to all of us, not just the folks in the Palisades (but also) the folks in Altadena that were devastated. We’re going to need your support; we’re going to need your help.”
Federal Aid
Earlier Friday, when Trump was still in western North Carolina, where he stopped first to survey recovery efforts from last year’s Hurricane Helene, the president suggested tying future federal relief aid for California to a voter ID law and changes to water management.
“I want to see two things in Los Angeles. Voter ID, so that the people have a chance to vote, and I want to see the water be released and come down into Los Angeles and throughout the state,” Trump said then.
Trump has long slammed states that don’t have voter ID, a requirement or request during voting that one proves their identity with specific forms of identification. While California does not require such identification, some first-time voters may be asked to show a form of ID when at the polls.
When asked about it on the tarmac Friday, Newsom said, “I have all the confidence in the world we’ll work that out.”
A Promising Start
Trump, in his brief remarks, compared the devastation that he had yet to see firsthand to a “bomb going off” and World War II. He promised to work with Newsom to get a more “permanent fix” in place to prevent future catastrophic destruction.
“We’re looking to get something completed, and the way you get it completed is to work together,” Trump said. “He’s the governor of this state, and we’re going to get it completed.”
Conclusion
In a surprising turn of events, President Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom put aside their differences and promised to work together to provide relief to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California. While the road ahead will be challenging, this initial step towards cooperation is a promising sign for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the purpose of President Trump’s visit to California?
A: President Trump visited California to survey the damage caused by the spate of wildfires in Southern California and to meet with Gov. Gavin Newsom to discuss relief efforts.
Q: What did President Trump and Gov. Newsom agree on?
A: President Trump and Gov. Newsom agreed to work together to provide relief to those affected by the wildfires and to get a “permanent fix” in place to prevent future catastrophic destruction.
Q: Will California receive federal aid for wildfire relief?
A: Yes, President Trump has promised to provide federal aid to California for wildfire relief. However, the specifics of the aid and any conditions attached to it are still unclear.
