Trump overturns California’s gas car ban, targeting Newsom and Musk
President Donald Trump just dropped a policy bombshell that’s got both Elon Musk and California Gov. Gavin Newsom reeling.
With a single signature, Trump overturned a California mandate banning new gas-powered car sales by 2035, a move that’s stirred up a hornet’s nest in both the tech and political arenas. As reported by Daily Mail, this decision directly challenges policies backed by Newsom and could dent the electric vehicle market led by Musk’s Tesla.
During a lengthy signing ceremony in the East Room, Trump didn’t hold back, delivering a speech packed with his classic grievances against windmills, sharks, and battery-powered boats. It was vintage Trump—unfiltered and unapologetic, with a side of sharp commentary on his latest feuds.
Trump’s Bold Move Against Electric Mandates
Trump proudly declared that on his first day in office, he scrapped what he called the “Green New Scam” and eliminated federal electric vehicle mandates. “Now we know why Elon doesn’t like me so much,” he quipped, before adding with a smirk, “Which he does actually, he does.” That’s Trump logic for you—contradictory, yet somehow confident.
The president seemed almost amused by Musk’s earlier support, noting how the Tesla CEO endorsed him despite knowing these mandates would be axed. Trump recalled Musk’s stance as, “Well, as long as it’s happening to everybody, I’ll be able to compete.” A fair point, perhaps, but Trump couldn’t resist adding that Musk “got a little bit strange” after that.
Indeed, tensions flared just a week before the signing when Trump and Musk traded barbs over the billionaire’s criticism of a Republican bill. Musk went so far as to make wild claims about Trump’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein and even suggested impeachment in favor of Vice President J.D. Vance. Talk about a friendship hitting the skids faster than a Tesla on autopilot.
Feud with Newsom Takes Center Stage
While the dust has somewhat settled with Musk, Trump’s focus has shifted to a more familiar foe—California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom. The president didn’t mince words, dubbing him “Gov. Gavin Newscum” during the nearly hour-and-a-half-long event that morphed into a full-blown press conference.
Trump lambasted the previous administration for granting California what he called “dictatorial powers” over the auto industry with the 2035 gas car ban. “They approved Gov. Gavin Newscum’s ridiculous plan to impose a 100 percent ban on all new gas-powered cars within a very short period of time,” he fumed. It’s a policy Trump sees as absurd, especially given California’s struggles with blackouts and brownouts.
He didn’t stop there, pointing out the irony of mandating electric vehicles in a state that can’t keep the lights on. “They don’t have enough electricity right now,” Trump noted, highlighting what he views as a glaring flaw in progressive energy policies. It’s a critique that lands hard when you consider the practical challenges.
Clashing Over LA Unrest and Policies
Trump’s feud with Newsom isn’t just about cars—it’s personal and political. He’s been locked in a battle with the governor over mass deportation policies, which have sparked unrest in downtown Los Angeles. The president’s decision to federalize the National Guard to quell protests, against Newsom’s wishes, has only fueled the fire.
During his East Room remarks, Trump took a swipe at Newsom’s handling of the situation, suggesting, “Los Angeles would be burning down right now. Be burning just like his damn houses burned down.” It’s a biting jab, though one wonders if such rhetoric helps bridge the already wide divide.
The legal battle between Trump and Newsom over the National Guard’s deployment adds another layer of tension to this ongoing saga. It’s clear the president sees California’s leadership as emblematic of a broader progressive agenda he’s determined to dismantle, piece by policy piece.
A Broader Fight for Industry Freedom
At its core, Trump’s resolution to block California’s gas car ban is framed as a defense of the auto industry’s freedom to innovate without heavy-handed mandates. He argues that forcing a 100 percent shift to electric vehicles ignores consumer choice and economic realities—a stance that resonates with many who feel overburdened by top-down regulations.
Yet, this move also puts him at odds with figures like Musk, who could have benefited from a mandated pivot to electric vehicles. It’s a curious tightrope Trump walks—alienating a tech titan while claiming to champion fairness in competition. Perhaps it’s less about personal grudges and more about a vision of unfettered markets.
Ultimately, Trump’s latest policy stroke is a calculated jab at both Silicon Valley and Sacramento, wrapped in his signature flair for drama. Whether it’s Musk’s “strange” turn or Newsom’s “ridiculous” plans, the president is playing to an audience that values straight talk over political polish. It’s a gamble, but then again, when has Trump ever played it safe?





