California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered a rambling rant attacking President Trump’s executive order aimed at speeding up wildfire rebuilding efforts.
“He hasn’t coordinated or connected with anyone,” Newsom said at an event in San Diego on Monday.
“It’s just typical Trump trying to — forgive me, it’s a French phrase — piss on the grasshoppers to hear them sing.”
The bizarre statement came as Newsom held a press conference to outline his efforts to stop fentanyl from crossing the border and a week after President Trump announced he was going to deliver desperately needed help to the people of The Palisades, putting Lee Zeldin in charge of the effort.
“I want to see if we can take over the city and state and just give the people their permits they want to build,” Trump told The California Post in an exclusive interview.
He also highlighted why he chose Zeldin to spearhead the Palisades rebuild project.
“Lee is so competent,” Trump said. “I can’t imagine anybody could have done it better than him.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has verbally attacked President Trump over his executive order aimed at speeding up wildfire rebuilding efforts in the state. REUTERS
Newsom also accused the president of lying about federal permits tied to the executive order, claiming promised approvals never materialized.
“They don’t exist,” he said. “He lied about that. He made it up.”
Newsom further questioned the legality of the order itself, which seeks to bypass California’s so-called “permitting failures” by allowing federal self-certification for builders. “We don’t know — is it legal?” the governor said.
Immediately after Trump signed the executive order — first reported by The California Post — Newsom blasted the top Republican, writing that “an executive order to rebuild Mars would do just as [much] good,” before abruptly shifting tone and pleading with the president to release federal disaster aid.
President Trump signed an executive order aimed at speeding up fire rebuilding efforts in California. For some reason, Newsom isn’t happy about that. AFP via Getty Images
Destroyed lots and reconstruction in LA’s fire-ravaged neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, Jan. 9, 2026. ZUMAPRESS.com“Mr. President, please actually help us. We are begging you. Release the federal disaster aid you’re withholding that will help communities rebuild their homes, schools, parks, and infrastructure,” Newsom continued.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post SportsFacebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
