> At a Glance
> – Gavin Newsom will deliver his last State of the State address Thursday
> – He’ll claim California as a national counter-model to Donald Trump’s federal agenda
> – Speech lands one day after the L.A. wildfire anniversary and one day before his new budget drops
> – Why it matters: The address shapes Newsom’s legacy and spotlights homelessness, crime, and disaster-record aid battles with Washington
The governor steps to the podium for the first in-person State of the State since 2022, using the moment to contrast California’s course with what he calls an unprecedented assault on its values from the Trump administration.
A Legacy Pitch to the Nation
Newsom plans to argue that California’s approach to homelessness, crime, and health-care costs offers a template the rest of the country should follow. He will call out large investors who buy affordable homes, saying the practice inflates rents and crushes ownership dreams.
Newsom will say:
> “We face an assault on our values unlike anything I have seen in my lifetime.”
He will also brand critics as suffering from “California Derangement Syndrome,” flipping Trump’s own “Trump Derangement Syndrome” phrase back at Republicans.
Key Wins He’ll Tout
- Unsheltered homelessness fell 9% last year, according to his office
- Homicide rates in Oakland and San Francisco are at multi-decade lows
- The state pumped $267 million into local agencies in 2023 to fight retail and property crime
- California Highway Patrol operations have curbed crime in Bakersfield, San Bernardino, and Stockton
Wildfire Aid Showdown
One year after the L.A.-area fires killed 31 people and leveled neighborhoods, Newsom will press for $34 billion in federal disaster aid he requested from Trump, noting the president has not responded.
He will praise state crews for cleanup progress and mortgage relief to survivors, while urging faster rebuilding efforts.
Budget & Term Limits
Friday’s budget proposal will land after years of shortfalls. Because California limits governors to two terms, Newsom cannot seek re-election, heightening speculation about a 2028 presidential run.
Key Takeaways
- Newsom positions California as the anti-Trump model in his final State address
- He cites a 9% drop in unsheltered homelessness and record-low homicides in two major cities
- The governor slams Trump for ignoring $34 billion** in disaster aid after deadly wildfires
- With term limits barring a third run, the speech frames his legacy and national ambitions
The address sets the stage for Friday’s budget release and keeps the spotlight on California’s battles with Washington as Newsom eyes life after Sacramento.
