Mike Johnson and Gavin Newsom pit states against each other with feud
A fiery feud between Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and California Gov. Gavin Newsom that began last summer has spilled over into 2026 and pitted the politicians’ two home states against each other.
Johnson fired the first verbal volley of the New Year with the following Jan. 5 post on X:
“The company U-Haul just released its yearly report showing more people are leaving California than ANY OTHER STATE – for the 6th year in a row. It’s EASY to see why. California has the highest state income tax in America — 13.3% — and now Democrats like @GavinNewsom are blocking President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts, denying workers real money back in their pockets. Workers are leaving high taxes behind — and red states are welcoming them with open arms.”
Newsom quickly responded with his own post from his campaign account on X on Jan. 5:
“Louisiana ranking for best states: #50. Dead last. Not good Mike. California’s population has grown for the last 3 consecutive years. Fix your own damn state.”
That drew Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry into the fray:
“I know California ranks last in the Nation for literacy, @GavinNewsom, but can you at least try harder!,” Landry posted Jan. 8 on X along with a collage of recent positive news stories about Louisiana.
Newsom also mentioned Johnson and President Trump in his California State of the State Address Jan. 8.
“It’s time for the President to act like a President for ALL of the United States,” he said. “It’s time for the Speaker of the House to ACT like the man of faith he claims to be.”
Their fiery feud began last summer when Johnson suggested Newsom should be “tarred and feathered” for what the speaker said was “obstructing” President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Newsom considered the deployment of federal agents an attempt “to subvert state laws” in a “blatant power grab.”
Newsom said he might run for president in 2028, but will wait until after the 2026 congressional mid-term elections to make a final decision, while Johnson is working to maintain a razor thin Republican majority to advance Trump’s agenda.