California Governor Gavin Newsom is set to release a national advertisement opposing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which he claims could jeopardize America’s status as the world’s leading economy.
According to a report by Politico, the 30-second ad is scheduled to air on “Fox and Friends” this weekend. The move positions Newsom as both a champion of California’s booming economy and a vocal critic of Trump’s signature trade policies.
In the ad, posted on YouTube, Newsom addresses the camera with the bustling Port of Oakland as his backdrop. He highlights California’s ascent to becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy, attributing this success to “reducing trade barriers and delivering for American consumers.”
“The Trump administration is putting all of that at risk by halting the delivery of essential goods through our ports,” Newsom warns in the ad. He expresses concern that the continued imposition of tariffs could slow down imports, leading to empty shelves during crucial shopping seasons like back-to-school and Christmas.
“It’s school backpacks in a few months; it’ll be Christmas toys next,” Newsom says. “These tariffs punish families.”
The advertisement is funded through Newsom’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign account. While a spokesperson declined to disclose the cost of the ad buy, the campaign signals a strategic escalation in Newsom’s critique of Trump’s policies after months of attempting to ease tensions with the former administration.
