Newsom Criticizes Trump on Climate, Pushes Clean Energy Initiatives

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday accused former President Donald Trump of abdicating his responsibilities on climate change, asserting that state and local governments are leading the charge on clean energy.

Newsom, speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, criticized Trump's focus on fossil fuels, including plans to reopen coal plants and expand offshore oil drilling. "He's doubling down on stupid, and he's putting the American economy at risk," Newsom said in an interview, calling Trump the most destructive environmental president in American history.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers responded by criticizing Newsom's focus on climate initiatives, attributing it to "Biden's unpopular, unreliable and costly Green New Scam." She further stated, "No one is surprised to see him whining about the climate change hoax at another conference instead of fixing the problems plaguing his state: out-of-control crime, the highest homeless population in the United States, and wildfire victims still waiting on state permits to rebuild their homes and businesses."

Newsom, who is seen as a potential presidential candidate, has previously contrasted his stance with Trump's on climate issues. He attended the U.N. climate talks in Belem, Brazil, in 2025 after Trump skipped them. Trump has consistently prioritized fossil fuels for electricity production, labeling climate change as the "greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world." His administration hindered renewable energy projects, particularly offshore wind, while countries like China significantly increased their investments in wind and solar power.

Newsom also addressed the escalating economic and technological competition with China, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington coincided with his remarks. Newsom stated that China is "cleaning our clock from an economic perspective" and that California is prepared to lead the nation in competing with China in the clean energy sector.

In parallel, Newsom announced a group of experts tasked with developing oversight recommendations for artificial intelligence in California, including the creation of a potential "kill switch" for rogue AI models. This initiative contrasts with Trump's approach, which Newsom characterized as allowing artificial intelligence to "rip."

During his time in New York, Newsom signed a new agreement with Spain's prime minister to enhance collaboration on clean energy and climate issues. He also announced progress toward linking carbon markets with Washington state. "California is not going to sit back and watch this guy roll back the last half century. We’re going to lead the next great revolution," Newsom declared. "We’re going to dominate and we’re going to out compete and we are going to prepare the economy... for the fierce competitive fight against China as we move forward in this space."