Newsom Praises Trump & Melania

Newsom Gives Trump Rare Praise Over Program for Children

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has frequently clashed with President Trump, offered an unusual endorsement Friday of one of the administration’s programs aimed at helping children build financial savings.

During a press conference focused on California’s CalKIDS program, Newsom encouraged families to take advantage of the federal Trump Accounts, calling the initiative one of the president’s strongest accomplishments. The remarks stand out given Newsom’s frequent criticism of Trump and his administration.

Trump Accounts became available last month and include a $1,000 federal contribution for eligible children born during Trump’s second term. The accounts are designed to provide children with an investment fund that can grow over time.

Newsom urged families not to allow political disagreements to prevent them from participating. He argued that the account belongs to the child rather than the president and said families should focus on the financial benefit for their children rather than the politics surrounding the program.

The California governor also credited Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey for their work on the initiative.

Newsom went even further when discussing first lady Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” initiative, which is intended to help children in foster care overcome eligibility and custodial issues that could otherwise prevent them from accessing Trump Accounts.

Newsom said Melania Trump deserved credit for addressing a gap in the original program that could have left some foster children unable to participate. He said California ultimately enrolled in the federal initiative after former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey contacted him and questioned why the state had not joined.

Newsom said California plans to ensure foster children are eligible and is also considering additional state funding to support the effort.

The Democratic governor has made childcare affordability a major issue during his administration and has publicly considered a possible presidential campaign in 2028, when economic affordability is expected to remain a major political issue.

The unusual praise raises an interesting question for Newsom: Can he support a Trump policy that he believes benefits California families without giving the president political credit?