The tension in Washington wasn’t just political this week—it was personal.
President Donald Trump held court in the East Room of the White House and made it clear he’s ready to go head-to-head with two powerful figures: California Governor Gavin Newsom and Tesla’s Elon Musk.
But this wasn’t just another policy day—it was packed with jabs, personal digs, and signature Trump bravado.
Trump Undoes California’s Gas Car Ban with a Signature
At the center of it all was a big move: Trump signed a resolution rolling back California’s plan to ban new gas-powered cars by 2035.
The rule, heavily backed by Newsom and seen as a win for Tesla and electric vehicles, is now officially blocked at the federal level.
“On day one I ended the Green New Scam,” Trump declared during the signing event, claiming he wiped out Biden-era mandates around electric vehicles.
With one pen stroke, he effectively dismantled a policy that had aimed to push the car industry into a zero-emissions future.
A Swipe at Elon Musk—With a Side of Confusion
And of course, Trump couldn’t resist bringing up Elon Musk.
The former allies have had a falling out in recent weeks, and Trump didn’t shy away from stirring the pot.
“Now we know why Elon doesn’t like me so much,” Trump quipped.
Then, in typical Trump fashion, he added, “Which he does, actually. He does.”
The president mused on Musk’s past support, pointing out that the Tesla CEO had endorsed him in 2024 despite knowing he planned to kill off EV mandates.
Trump even quoted Musk’s supposed reasoning: “As long as it’s happening to everybody, I’ll be able to compete.”
Trump called it an “honest answer,” but noted, “After that, he got a little bit strange.”
Musk vs. Trump: The Billionaire Brawl
Things escalated last week when Musk blasted Trump’s immigration bill—dubbed the “big beautiful bill”—claiming it gutted federal cost-saving measures.
Trump hit back, and Musk fired off a wild claim that Trump’s name appeared in Jeffrey Epstein’s files and should be replaced by his younger running mate, Vice President J.D. Vance.
The spat took a dramatic turn, but for now, both men seem to have stepped back—at least temporarily.
Trump Turns the Heat on Newsom Over LA Protests
But Trump’s feud with Newsom is still burning hot—especially with protests rocking downtown Los Angeles in response to Trump’s mass deportation policy.
The president defied Newsom’s wishes and ordered the National Guard to intervene, prompting a full-blown legal clash between the federal and state governments.
During his lengthy speech—which quickly morphed into a press conference—Trump referred to Newsom as “Newscum” and repeatedly mocked his leadership. .
“They approved Gov. Gavin Newscum’s ridiculous plan to impose a 100 percent ban on all new gas-powered cars,” Trump said, his voice thick with sarcasm.
Trump Slams California’s Power Grid and Policies
The president didn’t stop there. He slammed California’s electric grid, saying, “They don’t have enough electricity right now.. Blackouts and brownouts—and they want everyone to drive electric?” He called the policy “ridiculous,” tying it to what he sees as larger failures in California’s governance.
From Car Mandates to Burning Houses: A Personal Dig
Trump also took a sharp turn into personal territory, referencing the governor’s own experiences with wildfires. .“Los Angeles would be burning down right now—just like his damn houses burned down,” Trump snapped.
The moment captured the tone of the event: part policy, part campaign rally, and all very Trump.