In a blistering address at the UN's COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, California Governor Gavin Newsom launched a scathing attack on former US President Donald Trump, branding him an 'invasive species' and a 'wrecking-ball president' for his stance on the climate crisis.
A Notable Void and a Fiery Response
Governor Newsom emerged as the most senior US politician at the annual climate talks after the Trump administration took the unprecedented step of not sending an official delegation. Newsom sought to fill this void by leading an alternate US delegation and delivering a forceful condemnation of Trump's environmental record.
He lambasted the former president's dismissal of climate science as an 'abomination' and a 'disgrace', highlighting Trump's efforts to roll back climate policies and promote fossil fuels. 'He's trying to roll back progress of the last century. He's trying to recreate the 19th century,' Newsom stated, accusing Trump of doubling down on policies detrimental to the planet.
Coastal Drilling and International Repercussions
The California governor's comments were partly triggered by reports that Trump has drawn up plans to open up the coast of California for oil and gas drilling. Newsom responded with defiance, declaring such a move would happen 'over my dead body, full stop'.
He pointed out the perceived hypocrisy, noting Trump's opposition to oil rigs off the coast of Florida near his Mar-a-Lago estate. Newsom also argued that Trump's retreat from climate leadership directly benefits China, which is dominating the global clean energy supply chain. 'You know who is cheering, who is singing his praises? President Xi of China,' he said.
Subnational Leadership Fills the Federal Gap
Newsom's delegation at COP30 includes more than 100 elected officials, underscoring that subnational governments in the US remain committed to climate action. He is part of the US Climate Alliance, a coalition of 24 governors representing over half of the US population.
Some climate leaders expressed relief at the official US absence. Christiana Figueres, former UN climate chief, remarked that the US not being at the talks 'actually is a good thing'. Newsom acknowledged this stark perspective, noting that Trump's absence 'creates opportunity' for local leaders to assert themselves. 'He pulled away. That's why I pulled up,' he said.
Looking ahead, Newsom, a potential Democratic presidential candidate for 2028, urged his party to reframe the climate debate around tangible issues like the cost of living and the growing difficulty Americans face in securing insurance due to climate-fuelled disasters.
