Two days before Air Force One lands in California, Governor. Gavin Newsom isn’t sure if he can join President Donald Trump on his wildfire tour.

Newsom’s Office reports that the Democratic Governor is willing and capable of meeting with the Republican President in Southern California this Friday. The White House, however, has not given any instructions to the Democratic Governor about his plans. Newsom’s staff says that it only learned of the President’s visit from “sources.”

The tensions between the two most powerful political rivals in the country are highlighted by the uncertainty that arose just hours before Trump arrived. Newsom is in a crisis which could undermine the recovery of his state and his presidential ambitions.

Newsom characterized Trump as an especially dangerous threat to American Democracy for most of the last year’s campaign. Trump calls the governor regularly “scum”, or to be more precise, “Newscum.”

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When asked by Fox News on Wednesday if he planned to meet with the governor, Trump replied: “I don’t know.” “I haven’t even thought about this.”

In recent weeks Trump and his supporters — notably Elon Musk, the billionaire on his X platform – have attacked Newsom and promoted misinformation regarding California’s response. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested that conditions should be placed on federal aid for wildfires to force California into making changes.

Jack Pitney, political scientist at Claremont McKenna College (California), said: “This is an extremely difficult balance for him.” “As governor of California he must work with the President to secure federal aid for his state. He feels pressure as a national politician to attack Trump. It’s difficult to do both at once, especially with a thin-skinned President.”

One of the worst disasters to hit the United States has created urgent needs.

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A large and rapidly moving wildfire broke out in the mountains to the north of Los Angeles on Wednesday. The fires had been under control for a long time. At least 28 people are dead and more than 14,000 homes have been destroyed in Los Angeles County. The recovery effort may be the most costly in U.S. History and will require both the Trump and Newsom Administrations to work together.

Trump will tour western North Carolina, where parts are still recovering from Hurricane Helene. This is another natural disaster that the president has criticized Democratic leaders for.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Newsom’s Office had not heard anything from the White House. Bob Salladay, Newsom’s spokesman, said that the governor will be in Southern California on Wednesday and hopes to have a meeting with President Obama.

Salladay stated that “we have not heard anything from the White House regarding Friday’s visit.” Salladay said, “We will be happy to meet the president if that works.”

It is not the first time they have appeared together. Trump and Newsom appeared together in 2017 after another fire. Newsom was then the newly-elected governor.

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Leader of a state that has been devastated by a natural disaster; potential leader of Democratic Party

Newsom is 57 years old and his term as governor has expired. He’s already considered one of the top presidential prospects for 2028. Trump and his Republican allies in Congress are also needed to provide massive disaster relief for his state.

Allies believe Newsom will eventually launch a Democratic Presidential campaign after he departs office at the end 2026. They acknowledge, however, that Newsom’s long-term prospects will be determined by his handling of the current crisis.

Newsom, who is known for his media-friendly nature, has avoided political discussions in the last few weeks. According to his office, he spent 12 out of 16 days on the Southern California fire scene. His office reports that he has issued 12 executive orders to date to help speed up recovery efforts, including some moves to bypass regulations.

Newsom sent a letter last week to Republican leaders, asking for expedited disaster aid “without conditions or lengthy negotiation”. Republican leadership, supported by Trump, have indicated that they are likely to put conditions on funding. Details of the funding have not yet been announced.

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Some would-be allies outside of California worry that Newsom’s image is being tainted with Republican criticism.

“Newsom can pack a punch against Trump. He doesn’t give in to his demands. “I think he’s got the strength people want in a leader,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), a rising star in the Democratic Party who wants to see her party’s presidential candidates in 2028 like Newsom play a bigger role in national affairs.

Crockett, in response to Trump’s criticism, said: “But I think it will really depend on how the narrative is framed around the fires and whether people can be fooled into believing that he cannot handle any disasters, natural or other.” “He’s navigating a very difficult space.”

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From ‘Trump-proofing’ to “common ground”

Since the Los Angeles fires broke out earlier this month Newsom has virtually abandoned the anti Trump rhetoric he used during the last presidential election.

In recent days, the Democratic Governor shifted focus from a special session of the legislature designed to “Trump-proof” California to the state’s response in the face of fires. Newsom joined Johnson, House Speaker, and other GOP governors across the country to order that the U.S. Flags be raised at full height for Trump’s Inauguration.

Newsom made a statement of respect on the day Trump was inaugurated, calling for “common grounds.”

Newsom stated that “in the face of one the worst natural catastrophes in American history, this moment highlights the critical need for partnerships, a shared commitment of facts, and reciprocal respect — values which enable civil discourse and effective governance as well as meaningful action.”

One major exception exists.

Newsom’s team has reacted to obvious misinformation that Trump and his cronies have spread on social media about the fire response. This has consumed time and energy from the governor’s office. Newsom’s Office says that over half of recent media requests have been based on baseless conspiracy theories.

The governor has also created a website that combats misinformation spread by Trump and his cronies.

Newsom, who has avoided direct confrontation with Trump in his inaugural speech, did not ignore Trump’s false claim that California “fires still tragically blaze from weeks ago” without a token or defense.

“It’s nonsense. It’s also