California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is applauding President Donald Trump for aiding his state amid the coronavirus outbreak.
When Newsom appeared on CNN with Anderson Cooper on Friday, he admitted that despite his history of differences with Trump, he and the president have managed to work together to combat the coronavirus.
“We’re involved in 68 lawsuits with the Trump administration. I’ve been on your show. I haven’t been timid, he certainly hasn’t been timid. But I got to say this, it’s just a fact, I’d be lying to you, I’d be lying to the American people. Every single direct request that he was capable of meeting, he has met.”
“So I can only speak for myself, but I have to be complementary. Otherwise, I would be simply lying to you, misleading you, and that is a wonderful thing to be able to say and I hope that continues,” Newsom continued. “This has been a remarkable moment where at least we have been able to rise above that partisanship.”
See Newsom’s remarks below:
California Governor Gavin Newsom offers strong praise for Pres. Trump's handling of the coronavirus in relation to his state saying, "every single direct request that he was capable of meeting, he has met… I have to be complimentary, otherwise I would be simply lying to you." pic.twitter.com/eKkVNzWfFt
— Josiah Daniel Ryan (@JosiahRyan) April 11, 2020
Newsom’s positive remarks follow a history of political sparring matches with the president. Since Trump took office, the two have clashed on multiple occasions.
Their differences in crisis management began with the natural disasters that previously plagued California. Over the past three years, California has faced wildfires and mudslides that ultimately impacted the lives of millions.
However, Newsom admits that things are a bit different this time around. He credited Trump’s “direct intervention and support” in securing the USNS Mercy for California and thousands of other federally-backed medical stations throughout the state.
“We have the USNS Mercy in California because of Trump’s direct intervention and support. Two thousand of these federal medical stations because of his direct support,” Newsom said.
As of Saturday morning, there are more than 21,400 coronavirus cases throughout the state of California. Over 500 people have died in the state from the coronavirus.