President Trump’s Visit to California and Nevada

President Donald Trump plans to visit California and Nevada this week, highlighting differences with Democrats regarding the economy, border security, and crime. His objective is to bolster support for Republicans in upcoming November elections that will determine control of Congress. Although Trump often mentions stock market gains and low unemployment rates, high inflation and economic uncertainty complicate his message.

In Los Angeles on Tuesday, Trump will attend a fundraising dinner for the Republican National Committee at a golf club owned by his family in Rancho Palos Verdes. On Wednesday, he will discuss economic issues at an event in Las Vegas’ Red Rock casino. Polling by AP-NORC from late July indicates that only 32% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s economic handling. A significant 69% describe the economy as “poor” with basics like groceries and gas stressing them out. Trump’s overall approval rating sits at 33%.

Ahead of his journey, Trump waved to onlookers as he boarded Marine One en route to Los Angeles. His trip is expected to include sharp criticism of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, a likely contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. Newsom is a prominent Trump critic.

President Trump contrasts his commonsense agenda with Democratic ‘radical policies’ like those of Gavin Newsom, highlighting tax reductions, fraud reduction in government programs, and tough stances on immigration and crime, said White House spokesperson Olivia Wales.

California was one of Trump’s initial domestic destinations after reentering office in January 2025. During that visit, he surveyed wildfire damage in Los Angeles County. Newsom has criticized Trump for sending troops to Los Angeles without his consent following protests over immigration raids. Their relationship remains tense, with Trump using derogatory nicknames for Newsom, and Newsom mocking Trump via social media.

The governor’s press office released a statement on Tuesday, accusing Trump of raising funds and spreading falsehoods rather than aiding wildfire survivors. Newsom remarked on the state’s rapid economic growth compared to Texas and Florida.

Housing concerns are central to Trump’s Nevada visit, where Republican Governor Joe Lombardo faces a challenging reelection battle against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. The Nevada State Democratic Party has erected billboards linking Trump to Lombardo and rising costs. Nevada confronts affordable housing shortages, increased energy demand from AI data centers, and federal program cuts. Despite Trump’s promotion of tax cuts and a suggested manufacturing resurgence, economic challenges such as high interest rates, rising fuel costs, and housing shortages remain prevalent.

Trump has also drawn criticism for his self-referred “yawn” of a housing bill and speeches that deviate to political attacks and construction tales in Washington D.C. Associated Press writers Josh Boak, based in Washington, and Jessica Hill in Las Vegas contributed to this report.

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