Gavin Newsom Adjusts Trump's Tariffs in Recent Fox News Commercial
The governor of California asserts that Trump's tariffs "punish families."
TroibNews 
Gavin Newsom is directing his anti-tariffs message to a platform highly likely to catch President Donald Trump’s attention: Fox News.
The California governor, known for playfully challenging conservatives by appearing on their preferred cable news network, will be running a new national ad on “Fox and Friends” this weekend. The ad positions him as both a supporter of California's economy and a staunch critic of the president’s signature policy.
The 30-second advertisement, obtained exclusively by PMG, reflects Newsom's strategy of engaging Republicans on their home ground. This move marks a significant escalation in the governor’s criticism of Trump after several months of attempting to ease tensions with the White House.
In the ad, Newsom addresses the camera against the backdrop of the Port of Oakland, highlighting California’s recent rise to the world’s fourth-largest economy. He attributes this success to “reducing trade barriers and delivering for American consumers.”
He further warns that Trump’s tariff policies could result in a decrease in goods entering the country, raising concerns about empty store shelves during significant shopping seasons like back-to-school and Christmas.
“These tariffs punish families and risk ending America’s run as the world’s greatest economy,” he states. “Take it from California: We’re the ones leading it.”
The commercial is funded from Newsom’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign account, although a spokesperson chose not to disclose the cost of the ad purchase.
Newsom has consistently focused on finding effective ways to directly communicate with conservatives, whether through appearances on Sean Hannity’s show or through billboards in red states. He is an avid consumer of conservative media and has invited several prominent right-leaning figures, including Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, to join his new podcast, a move that has drawn criticism from some fellow Democrats.
During the early months of Trump’s presidency, the governor adopted a cautious approach, concerned that any antagonism could jeopardize crucial federal assistance after devastating wildfires hit Los Angeles in January.
However, the implications of tariffs seem to have prompted Newsom to reengage. Last month, he filed a lawsuit contesting Trump’s authority to impose tariffs on imports unilaterally. He has condemned the president’s tariffs as a significant threat to California’s economy.
“No state is poised to lose more than the state of California,” he remarked.
Regarding Trump’s recent suggestion of imposing 100 percent tariffs on foreign film imports, Newsom has taken a less confrontational stance. Rather than criticizing the proposal outright, he urged the president to reconsider and instead support a $7.5 billion federal film tax credit, a substantial subsidy that would align with Newsom's initiatives to enhance California’s state-level incentives.
“Now it’s time for a real federal partnership to Make America Film Again,” Newsom expressed on social media. This initiative did not elicit a response from the president.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
The California governor, known for playfully challenging conservatives by appearing on their preferred cable news network, will be running a new national ad on “Fox and Friends” this weekend. The ad positions him as both a supporter of California's economy and a staunch critic of the president’s signature policy.
The 30-second advertisement, obtained exclusively by PMG, reflects Newsom's strategy of engaging Republicans on their home ground. This move marks a significant escalation in the governor’s criticism of Trump after several months of attempting to ease tensions with the White House.
In the ad, Newsom addresses the camera against the backdrop of the Port of Oakland, highlighting California’s recent rise to the world’s fourth-largest economy. He attributes this success to “reducing trade barriers and delivering for American consumers.”
He further warns that Trump’s tariff policies could result in a decrease in goods entering the country, raising concerns about empty store shelves during significant shopping seasons like back-to-school and Christmas.
“These tariffs punish families and risk ending America’s run as the world’s greatest economy,” he states. “Take it from California: We’re the ones leading it.”
The commercial is funded from Newsom’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign account, although a spokesperson chose not to disclose the cost of the ad purchase.
Newsom has consistently focused on finding effective ways to directly communicate with conservatives, whether through appearances on Sean Hannity’s show or through billboards in red states. He is an avid consumer of conservative media and has invited several prominent right-leaning figures, including Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, to join his new podcast, a move that has drawn criticism from some fellow Democrats.
During the early months of Trump’s presidency, the governor adopted a cautious approach, concerned that any antagonism could jeopardize crucial federal assistance after devastating wildfires hit Los Angeles in January.
However, the implications of tariffs seem to have prompted Newsom to reengage. Last month, he filed a lawsuit contesting Trump’s authority to impose tariffs on imports unilaterally. He has condemned the president’s tariffs as a significant threat to California’s economy.
“No state is poised to lose more than the state of California,” he remarked.
Regarding Trump’s recent suggestion of imposing 100 percent tariffs on foreign film imports, Newsom has taken a less confrontational stance. Rather than criticizing the proposal outright, he urged the president to reconsider and instead support a $7.5 billion federal film tax credit, a substantial subsidy that would align with Newsom's initiatives to enhance California’s state-level incentives.
“Now it’s time for a real federal partnership to Make America Film Again,” Newsom expressed on social media. This initiative did not elicit a response from the president.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
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