Fact Check: "California Governor Gavin Newsom met with President Donald Trump at the White House to lobby for federal disaster relief after Trump was sworn in for a second term in January 2025."
What We Know
The claim states that California Governor Gavin Newsom met with President Donald Trump at the White House specifically to lobby for federal disaster relief after Trump was inaugurated for a second term in January 2025. However, the timeline and context surrounding this meeting suggest otherwise.
On February 5, 2025, Governor Newsom did indeed travel to Washington, D.C., where he met with President Trump and members of Congress to discuss disaster relief for survivors of the Los Angeles firestorms. This meeting was part of a broader effort to secure federal aid following devastating wildfires that had occurred in January 2025, which were discussed in various reports, including from the California Governor's Office and Reuters. Notably, the meeting took place after the wildfires, not after Trump's inauguration, which occurred on January 20, 2025.
Reports indicate that Newsom's discussions included bipartisan efforts with both Republican and Democratic members of Congress to address the urgent needs of firestorm survivors (California Governor, Reuters).
Analysis
The claim inaccurately suggests that the meeting was specifically tied to lobbying efforts occurring immediately after Trump's second inauguration. In reality, the meeting was focused on urgent disaster relief needs stemming from recent wildfires, and it occurred several weeks after the inauguration. The context of the meeting was not solely about lobbying for federal aid but also involved discussions with various congressional leaders, indicating a collaborative approach rather than a singular focus on presidential lobbying (California Governor, Reuters).
Furthermore, the sources reporting on this meeting are credible. The California Governor's official website provides a direct account of the meeting, outlining its purpose and participants. Reuters, a well-established news organization, also reported on the meeting, emphasizing the bipartisan nature of the discussions (Reuters). These sources are reliable and provide a factual basis for understanding the context of the meeting.
Conclusion
The claim that "California Governor Gavin Newsom met with President Donald Trump at the White House to lobby for federal disaster relief after Trump was sworn in for a second term in January 2025" is False. The meeting occurred on February 5, 2025, several weeks after Trump's inauguration, and was part of a broader effort to address disaster relief needs following the Los Angeles firestorms, rather than a direct lobbying effort immediately following the inauguration.
Sources
- Governor Newsom meets with President Trump and ... - California Governor
- California governor meets Trump on wildfire relief | Reuters
- Newsom vs. Trump: Troop deployment in Los Angeles reignites political ...
- Newsom to Meet With Trump as He Seeks Federal Aid for Fire Relief - The New York Times
- Seeking LA fire aid, Gavin Newsom is set to meet Donald Trump in D.C.
