California Governor Criticizes Democratic Silence on Climate Change

Democratic politicians are making a mistake by avoiding discussions about climate change simply because they lack the right words to address it, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom. Speaking during events in New York, Newsom criticized what he termed 'climate hushing' among Democrats since Donald Trump returned to the White House in 2025. He argued that party members must connect global warming directly to everyday financial concerns, such as how droughts drive up the prices of beef and coffee. Reflecting on his frustrations with the Biden administration, Newsom stated that officials failed to properly communicate the benefits of major climate laws like the Inflation Reduction Act to the public. He pointed out that California recently declared a state of emergency to prepare for extreme weather supercharged by a super-El Niño, noting that ignoring the climate crisis is far more expensive than taking action. On energy markets, Newsom highlighted that large-scale batteries have enabled California to run on one hundred percent clean electricity for nine out of every ten days so far in 2026. Addressing political leadership, Newsom predicted that the upcoming midterm elections would fundamentally alter the presidency of Donald Trump if voters turn out in massive numbers. Regarding the 2028 presidential race, Newsom praised US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a generational talent and stated he fully expects her to run, noting he would not rule out a run himself if she enters the race, though he previously stated he would not run against Kamala Harris.