California Governor Gavin Newsom went full meltdown mode on Friday, threatening to withhold tens of billions of dollars in federal taxes from Washington, D.C. — after reports surfaced that President Donald Trump is preparing to cut federal funding to the far-left state over its radical policies and out-of-control universities.
Newsom’s tantrum comes after CNN reported that the Trump administration is planning a “full termination” of federal grants to California’s bloated university systems, specifically the University of California and California State University, in response to the institutions’ failure to combat rampant anti-American and antisemitic activity on their campuses.
“Californians pay the bills for the federal government. We pay over $80 BILLION more in taxes than we get back. Maybe it’s time to cut that off, @realDonaldTrump,” Newsom wrote on X.
Californians pay the bills for the federal government.
We pay over $80 BILLION more in taxes than we get back.
Maybe it’s time to cut that off, @realDonaldTrump. pic.twitter.com/lwFHFSgSyJ
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 6, 2025
Politico reported:
White House spokesperson Kush Desai, asked to comment on Newsom’s post, threw cold water on mass funding cuts but blasted California for what he said were “lunatic anti-energy, soft-on-crime, pro-child mutilation, and pro-sanctuary policies.”
“The Trump administration is committed to ending this nightmare and restoring the California Dream,” Desai said in a statement. “No final decisions, however, on any potential future action by the Administration have been made, and any discussion suggesting otherwise should be considered pure speculation.”
Trump has wielded federal funding as leverage to push its politics on California before. The president last month threatened to choke off the state’s cash flow if a transgender athlete participated in a state girls’ track meet.
Newsom’s biting suggestion comes as the governor escalates his anti-Trump rhetoric, even as he asks the White House for economic assistance. Newsom in early May blamed tariffs for ripping $16 billion from California’s state budget, but has at the same time sought federal disaster relief for the recent Los Angeles wildfires and privately consulted Trump officials about ways to bolster the state’s flagging film industry.
But Newsom and his Democrat allies in Sacramento are doubling down on their defiance.
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas echoed Newsom’s radical threat.
“This is unconstitutional and vindictive. We’re the nation’s economic engine and the largest donor state, and deserve our fair share. I’ll use every legal and constitutional tool available to defend CA — we must look at every option, including withholding federal taxes,” Rivas wrote.
tinyurl.com/4hdvp85b
This is unconstitutional and vindictive. We’re the nation’s economic engine and the largest donor state, and deserve our fair share. I’ll use every legal and constitutional tool available to defend CA — we must look at every option, including withholding federal taxes.— Speaker Robert Rivas (@caspeakerrivas.bsky.social) June 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
California’s Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire wrote, “California will never back down. We will never give in. The Golden State’s spirit will never break.Make no mistake – we’re going to defend California and Californians from this President’s illegal and unprecedented attack on our state and our way of life.”
California will never back down. We will never give in. The Golden State’s spirit will never break.
Make no mistake – we’re going to defend California and Californians from this President’s illegal and unprecedented attack on our state and our way of life. pic.twitter.com/GNIims4ZZi
— Mike McGuire (@ilike_mike) June 6, 2025
