• The call comes as California seeks to block Trump's tariffs, calling them "unlawful".
  • Relations between the two leaders have oscillated between cooperation and conflict in 2025.
  • The conversation may touch on disaster relief, economic policy, and ongoing legal battles.

A Complex Political Dance

President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom are scheduled to speak today, according to people familiar with the matter, in what could become another chapter in their turbulent relationship. The call follows weeks of escalating tensions, including California's May 13 legal challenge to Trump's tariffs and Newsom's public blaming of a "Trump slump" for the state's budget woes.

From Disaster Relief to Legal Battles

Their relationship has followed an unpredictable trajectory this year. In February, Newsom made a productive Oval Office visit focused on wildfire recovery, describing their 90-minute conversation as "positive" and "substantive." Yet by May, the Democratic governor was leading his state's legal charge against the Republican president's economic policies.

"There's a familiarity from working together during COVID," Newsom said after their February meeting, hinting at his strategy of selective cooperation. "In a crisis, people need to see their representatives working together."

What's at Stake Today

The call's agenda remains unclear, but sources suggest it may address:

  • The state's request for a preliminary injunction against Trump's tariffs
  • Ongoing disaster recovery efforts in California
  • Potential federal assistance for the state's $27 billion budget shortfall

Neither the White House nor the Governor's office responded to requests for comment about the scheduled discussion. Market watchers will be monitoring whether any détente emerges from the conversation, particularly regarding policies affecting California's tech and agricultural sectors.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the size of California's budget shortfall. The correct figure is $27 billion, not $25 billion.