"He (Trump) is doubling down on stupidity and trying to vandalize the progress we've made," Newsom said at a prominent climate conference.
Trump himself has characterized climate warnings as a hoax when he spoke at the UN General Assembly. As president, he has ordered several dismantlings of US federal climate and environmental measures. Republican Trump has also warned that the US will leave the Paris Agreement to limit global warming.
It's an abomination, and a shame, said the 58-year-old governor, going on to condescendingly call Trump an "invasive species."
Fourth largest economy
The personal attack is combined with a political jab at Republicans. Newsom said in his speech that China is cheering the American retreat from climate-related technology.
The state of California, with nearly 39 million residents, has repeatedly been a leader in climate and environmental efforts in both research and legislation. The state would also be one of the world's largest economies if California were its own country.
Estimates suggest that the state would be between the fourth and sixth leading countries. According to some estimates, California has overtaken Japan as an economic powerhouse.
Support within the party
Governor Newsom has never hidden his contempt for Trump, and has challenged the Trump administration's decisions on several issues by taking them to court. Among the most high-profile political battles is Trump's desire to send the National Guard to California to quell protests and assist in the search for irregular migrants.
Newsom would have some support to become the Democratic presidential nominee in the 2028 election if primaries were held now. Real Clear Politics estimates that Newsom has about 20 percent support on average, while former Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris has about twelve percent support among those surveyed.
