Politics

Newsom to Trump: ‘Maybe It’s Time’ To Cut Off California’s Share Of Federal Taxes

By Jake Beardslee · June 6, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing back against reports that President Donald Trump plans to strip the state of key federal funding, raising the provocative idea of withholding California’s contributions to the federal government.

“Californians pay the bills for the federal government. We pay over $80 BILLION more in taxes than we get back. Maybe it’s time to cut that off, @realDonaldTrump,” Newsom wrote in a post on X.

The comment followed a CNN report indicating that Trump is instructing federal agencies to prepare for a “large-scale” cancellation of grants to California, including funds earmarked for public universities.

A White House spokesperson responded to CNN, stating: “No taxpayer should be forced to fund the demise of our country. No final decisions, however, on any potential future action by the Administration have been made, and any discussion suggesting otherwise should be considered pure speculation.”

Trump has long clashed with California’s Democratic leadership. In his previous term, GOP lawmakers floated ideas to restrict federal disaster relief for California wildfires. Although Newsom and Trump appeared cooperative during a visit to survey wildfire damage, relations have since frayed.

Newsom’s administration has sued the Trump White House over its trade tariffs, which could significantly affect California’s economy, a major hub of global commerce. More recently, the administration halted funding for flood prevention in the state and threatened to withhold more federal aid over transgender athlete participation in women’s sports.

“Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to,” Trump wrote on Truth Social last month.