Trump Challenges Newsom for Presidential Run in 2028, Criticizes His Performance on Los Angeles Wildfires Management

Title: Trump Chat with Canadian Prime Minister: Coastal Fires, High-Speed Rail and the $106 Billion Elephant in the Room

The Oval Office played host to a chat between President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, with the discussion revolving around US-Canada relations.

During the powwow, Trump couldn't help but take a dig at California Governor Gavin Newsom, slamming California's high-speed rail project as a "train going from San Francisco to Los Angeles" run by Newsom, implying it's a "wors[t] cost overrun [he's] ever seen."

Trump claimed he "always liked Gavin" and "had a good relationship with him" but recently provided him with water for his wildfire-ravaged state. However, Trump criticized Newsom's handling of the wildfires, stating that had the governor followed his advice, the fires in Los Angeles "would have been put out very quickly."

Trump's love-hate relationship with Newsom seems to have originated from his 2025 visit to Southern California, where he saw the devastation caused by wildfires. Upon his return, Trump took executive action, directing federal agencies to override California's environmental regulations to increase water availability, expedite the removal of debris in affected areas, and conduct investigations into Los Angeles' use of federal grants.

Furthermore, Trump openly challenged California's regulation that "unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries" by ordering the Department of the Interior to immediately override these regulations in California to benefit the Central Valley Project.

Turning to the high-speed rail project, Trump shared his disdain for the project's cost escalation, stating it's "the worst cost overrun [he's] ever seen." The initial plan to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles in less than three hours was expected to cost $33 billion and be completed by 2020. However, the project has since been plagued by funding difficulties, cost overruns, and delays.

California's high-speed rail project is currently projected to cost an estimated $106 billion to complete— a 325% increase from the original budget—with potential delays stretching into the 2040s. The project's financial woes have attracted federal scrutiny, as the U.S. Department of Transportation launches a compliance review to ensure that $4 billion in federal funds align with agreements.

With term limits preventing Newsom from seeking re-election in 2026, Trump expressed enthusiasm for a potential 2028 presidential bid by Newsom, but added, "I don't think he's going to be running because that one project alone-well, that and the fires and a lot of other things-pretty much put him out of the race."

Newsom has been rumored to be contemplating a 2028 bid, but he's yet to make a formal commitment. In a statement to The New York Times, Newsom proposed partnering with the Trump administration on a $7.5 billion federal tax credit program to bolster the TV and film production industry, with the aim of "bring[ing] even more jobs home."

"California built the film industry - and we're ready to bring even more jobs home," Newsom wrote on Twitter. "We've proven what strong state incentives can do. Now it's time for a real federal partnership to Make America Film Again."

The White House stated that "no final decisions" had been made as the administration explores various options to fulfill Trump's directive to "safeguard our country's national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for this website Digital, this website Channel and FOX Business.

[1] https://californiabullettrain.com/cost-and-funding/[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-california-rail-idUSKBN1XX2YT[3] https://www.csr.ca.gov/Projects/High-Speed-Rail/Project-Details/Documents/County-Wide-Spatial-Analysis-Final-Report-2020.pdf[4] https://www.businessinsider.com/california-high-speed-train-costs-budget-overruns-2022-5[5] https://transitcenter.org/market/stations/high-speed-rail-station-siting/

SMELL TEST: Trump Overrides California's Fish-Protecting Rules to Maximize Water Supply

Trump pushed forward with an executive order to overturn California's fish-protecting regulations, aiming to maximize water supply in the state. This move comes amidst a bitter feud between Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has criticized the president's environmental policies, particularly concerning water management.

The wrangle stems from California's regulations that place restrictions on water conservation projects to protect various fish species, such as salmon and trout. These regulations have been a constant source of tension between California and the Trump administration, which believes such regulations are essential for promoting economic growth and protecting public safety.

Trump's executive order demonstrates his willingness to challenge California's environmental regulations, regardless of the negative impact on specific species. This move may secure additional water resources for irrigation, potentially alleviating water shortages that have plagued parts of California in recent years. However, it also raises concerns about the long-term health and survival of various fish species and the broader ecosystem in the state.

Title: Trump's High-Speed Rail Rant: 'Crappy Project' Causes 30x Budget Overrun; $106B Behemoth Hangs Over California

During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Donald Trump lambasted California's high-speed rail project, dubbing it as a "crappy project" with "the worst cost overrun [he's] ever seen." The notorious transport endeavor, which was initially intended to link San Francisco and Los Angeles in less than three hours, has spiraled into an estimated $106 billion spectacle with delays potentially extending into the 2040s.

Budget estimates soared beyond the original plan's $33 billion, as the project juggles funding challenges, cost overruns and delays. The U.S. Department of Transportation's recent compliance review aims to assess whether $4 billion in federal funds for Central Valley construction align with agreements, amplifying federal frustration regarding the project.

CEO Ian Choudhury underscores the need for private investment for progress, with expectations to finalize a financial strategy by summer 2025. Construction progress remains focused on a 119-mile stretch in the Central Valley, years behind schedule. The project's execution is marked by governance issues, funding disputes, and controversies surrounding station development by local agencies.

Trump's scathing assessment of the project comes amid criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom's handling of wildfires, which Trump claimed he provided extensive support to battle, only to be undermined by the governor's refusal to heed his recommendations.

Images depicting the pair's bilateral meeting show a visibly displeased Trump, while photos from the governor's 2025 visit to Southern California, where he met with the president to survey wildfire damage, reveal a more amicable dynamic.

Shifting beyond the high-speed rail project, Trump also addressed the possibility of Newsom running for president in 2028, indicating that the governor might be disqualified due to the high-speed rail project's financial woes and difficulties tackling the wildfires, among other factors. However, Newsom has neither confirmed nor denied any plans for a presidential bid.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for this website Digital, this website Channel, and FOX Business.

Trump, during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, criticized California's high-speed rail project, stating it's a "crappy project" with "the worst cost overrun [he's] ever seen."
Earlier, Trump challenged California's fish-protecting regulations, aiming to maximize water supply in the state amidst a feud between him and Governor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom, in response to budget scrutiny and project delays, proposed partnering with the Trump administration on a $7.5 billion federal tax credit program to bolster the TV and film production industry.
Despite Trump's critique of the project and Newsom's handling of wildfires, the governor is rumored to be considering a 2028 presidential bid.
War-and-conflicts, general-news, crime-and-justice: It was reported that the White House is exploring options to fulfill Trump's directive to "safeguard our country's national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again," leading to discussions about potential tax credit programs for film production industry.