WATCH: President Trump Meets Face-to-Face With Gavin Newsom During Visit to Devastated California

President Trump took his first trip of his second term today, flying to the state of California in order to visit regions that were ravaged by recent wildfires.

Upon President Trump’s landing, Gov. Gavin Newsom was there to greet him, right on the tarmac.

And, the exchange was, surprisingly, very civil.

Newsom looked a little awkward as he and President Trump shook hands before hugging each other.

The two exchanged words before Newsom leaned over and kissed Melania’ cheek.

Watch here:

🇺🇸TRUMP AND NEWSOM FACE OFF IN CALIFORNIA

Former President Trump met with Governor Newsom upon landing in the state.

Newsom has been a vocal critic of Trump, but both leaders share interests in addressing California’s ongoing crises.

Source: C-SPAN https://t.co/TWGbgLxkB8 pic.twitter.com/o3RHvdrlfP

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 25, 2025

BREAKING: Trump just walked down the stairs of Air Force One and hugged Newsom

The Uniter in Chief 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/YVbRIfAdzv

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) January 24, 2025

President Trump and Gavin Newsom then spoke to reporters, with Newsom admitting, “We’re going to need your help.”

You got that right!

It’s amazing what a little humility can do.

🇺🇸TRUMP: I'LL WORK WITH NEWSOM TO FIX CALIFORNIA'S WILDFIRE PROBLEM

"We're gonna be taking a little tour with some of the people from the area.

I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me.

We wanna get the problem fixed."

Source: C-SPAN https://t.co/bG993Qb9kf pic.twitter.com/m16vij31Vm

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 25, 2025

Gavin Newsom just thanked President Trump for visiting California.

It's funny how Newsom talked all that talk on the internet, but in person, he turns into a grateful puppy.
pic.twitter.com/OIaDjTbb6n

— George (@BehizyTweets) January 24, 2025

For his part, President Trump was willing and ready to let the past go in order to work together with Newsom and put the needs of Californians first — as a true leader should.

Trump on why he’s embracing Newsom:

“We’re looking to get something completed, and the way you get it completed is to work together. He’s the Governor of this state.”

This is a leader. pic.twitter.com/spzbGRQa63

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) January 24, 2025

Politico reported:

President Donald Trump reached out his arms and embraced sometime nemesis California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday after stepping off the plane to tour fire-scorched Los Angeles.

The Hollywood hug, reminiscent of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and President Barack Obama’s embrace after Hurricane Sandy, came just a few hours after the White House’s belated invite to Newsom. And it seemed to put Trump at ease. He ushered Newsom over to the assembled traveling press and the two promised to work together to help Los Angeles rebuild.

“We’re going to need your help. You were there for us during Covid. I don’t forget that, and I have all the expectations that we’ll be able to work together to get this speedy recovery,” Newsom said.

Trump agreed.

“We’ve got to get it done,” he said.

“Tremendous numbers of lives have been affected — a lot of real estate has been affected,” Trump continued. “Nobody’s ever probably seen anything like this. You can almost say, since the Second World War, would you think of it? I mean, nothing like this has happened, and we’re going to get it … permanently fixed so it can’t happen again and again.”

Newsom and Trump have feuded over scores issues — and the California Democrat was one of his party’s chief attack dogs during the 2024 presidential campaign. Trump was well aware, making Newsom, whom he derided as “Newscum,” a frequent punching bag at his own rallies. But the two have also come together in times of crisis, including natural disasters that happened during the president’s first term in office.

The New York Post added:

President Trump was greeted warmly by California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom as the commander in chief exited Air Force One upon arrival in Los Angeles Friday — making nice after Trump blasted his management of the crisis.

Trump, 78, and Newsom, 57, talked briefly and animatedly after the president descended the steps of his jet — with the governor alternately pointing, making a fist and giving a thumbs up.

The awkward greeting, in which both leaders also patted each other on the shoulder, concluded with Newsom giving first lady Melania Trump a peck on the cheek.

“I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me, Gavin,” Trump told reporters on the tarmac, after Newsom said Thursday night he would be there to welcome the president despite not having been officially invited.

“We’ll be talking a little bit. We want to get it fixed. We want to get the problem fixed. And there will be some ways,” the president added.

“You got hit by a bomb,” Trump told Newsom — likening the scenes of wildfires to the devastation of World War II.

The governor flattered Trump to the assembled media — hours after the president suggested that federal aid to rebuild the Golden State would be granted on the a “condition” of state legislators first requiring IDs to vote in the state,

“We will, we’re going to get it done,” Trump concurred, later adding: “We will get it permanently fixed so it can’t happen again.”

“Most importantly, thank you for being here. It means a great deal to us. We’re going to need your support. We’re going to need your help,” Newsom said.

“And you were there for us during COVID — I don’t forget that. And I have all the expectations that we’ll be able to work together to get the speedy recovery.”