Newsom slams Trump on climate at UN Assembly, warns US risks falling behind China
Published September 23, 2026 at 4:39 PM PDT Saying President Donald Trump has abdicated his responsibilities on climate change, California G
Published September 23, 2026 at 4:39 PM PDT Saying President Donald Trump has abdicated his responsibilities on climate change, California Gov. Gavin Newsom met with world and business leaders Wednesday to advance climate action and clean energy on the sidelines of the U.N.
General Assembly.State and local governments are leading, he said, as “Trump is trying to recreate the 19th century” by reopening coal plants, announcing new plans for oil drilling including off California, and centering his energy policy on fossil fuels that cause climate change.“He’s doubling down on stupid, and he’s putting the American economy at risk,” Newsom said in an interview. He called Trump the most destructive environmental president in American history and “an invasive species.”White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers used Trump’s derogatory nickname for the governor, “Newscum,” in responding to the comments.
First reported by KPBS.
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