The Newsom Daily

THE NEWSOM DAILY - April 20, 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom escalated his feud with President Trump, threatening to cut off California's federal contributions over what he called Trump's attacks on the state.

Trump-California Standoff: Newsom accused Trump of "trashing" California while the state pays federal war bills and suggested California should consider "cutting off" federal funding.

Storm Emergency Response: Newsom declared state emergencies for Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties following severe storm damage in the regions.

Louisiana Shooting Response: The governor criticized the NRA following a Louisiana shooting that killed eight children under 15 years old.

Successor Politics Heat Up: Newsom allies are reportedly considering backing a "dark horse" gubernatorial candidate who has seen a significant polling surge as the 2026 race intensifies.

Federal Funding Battle: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pulled $73 million in New York funding over undocumented driver licenses, specifically citing California's similar policies under Newsom.

Left vs Right: Left-leaning outlets like The Atlantic are focusing on broader Democratic challenges in California, while right-leaning sources like the New York Post emphasize potential successors distancing themselves from Newsom and federal funding disputes. Center outlets are covering the Trump feud and emergency declarations more straightforwardly.

California's governor remains at the center of multiple fronts today.