California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) announced plans to meet President Donald Trump at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Friday, despite not receiving a formal invitation.
“I look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president, welcome him, and we’re making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,” Newsom told reporters on Thursday, according to the Daily Mail.
The governor also quipped about a ceremonial gesture, saying, “There’s no limit to the resources we’ll provide for that briefing.”
Newsom and Trump have long been at odds, with their disagreements intensifying over wildfire management. Trump has accused California of mismanaging water resources, claiming too much water is sent to the Pacific Ocean rather than to areas in need.
In the early hours of his second term, Trump ordered federal officials to draft plans to divert more water to the Central Valley and Southern California cities. Days later, he threatened to withhold federal disaster aid unless the state revised its approach to water usage.
Trump’s visit comes as crews work to contain multiple wildfires across Southern California. Evacuation orders for tens of thousands were lifted Thursday after progress was made in battling a massive fire near Los Angeles.
However, new blazes have erupted, including in San Diego County, prompting additional evacuations.
One of the largest fires, the Hughes Fire, erupted Wednesday morning near Castaic Lake, charring nearly 16 square miles, according to the Daily Mail. Firefighters have since contained over a third of the blaze, but evacuation warnings remained in place for approximately 54,000 residents as of Thursday.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that no homes or structures have been reported damaged.
Meanwhile, two new fires in San Diego County and another in Ventura County near California State University Channel Islands have added to the region’s challenges. Southern California remains under a red flag warning for critical fire risk through Friday, with strong winds hampering containment efforts.
Since the fires began earlier this month, Trump has used social media to criticize California’s wildfire response. He has specifically highlighted instances where hydrants ran dry during the initial stages of the Pacific Palisades fire.
Despite their strained relationship, Newsom attempted to shift the focus away from political drama.
“This is a sideshow, a lot of this stuff,” he said, adding that his primary concern is recovery efforts and preparing Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics.
Newsom also emphasized his connections within Trump’s circle.
“I have a lot of relationships in the Trump world; a lot of relationships of trust,” he said, though he declined to name specific individuals.
Trump’s trip to Los Angeles marks his first venture outside Washington since resuming office on Monday. The White House has not commented on whether the president will meet with Newsom during the visit.
Trump previously stated that he had not given much thought to interacting with the governor.
Meanwhile, local fire crews continue to fight against harsh conditions, including unpredictable winds. Helicopters and ground teams are making progress, but the region faces ongoing threats as new fires emerge.
