Gavin Newsom Praises Trump Accounts as ‘One of the Best Things’ President Has Done
California Gov. Gavin Newsom offered unusually strong praise for President Donald Trump on Friday, calling the administration’s Trump Accounts program “one of the best things” the president has done and encouraging California families to take advantage of it.
Newsom, one of Trump’s most frequent Democratic critics, made the remarks while promoting programs designed to help children begin building savings and investments early in life. His comments represented a rare moment of agreement between two politicians who routinely trade attacks and could potentially find themselves on opposite sides of the 2028 presidential race.
“I’m enthusiastic about encouraging people to get a Trump Account,” Newsom told reporters. He described the federal program as “direct,” “tangible” and “results-oriented,” arguing that putting assets in children’s names can make a meaningful difference in their financial futures.
Trump Accounts were created under federal law as tax-advantaged investment accounts for American children. Children under 18 with Social Security numbers can have accounts established for them, while eligible babies born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, can receive a one-time $1,000 contribution from the federal government.
Families, employers, governments and philanthropic organizations can make additional contributions. The money is invested with the goal of allowing children to accumulate assets over many years, potentially providing them with a significant financial foundation as they enter adulthood.
Newsom urged Californians not to allow their feelings about Trump or partisan politics to prevent their children from benefiting. He stressed that opening an account does not amount to a political endorsement of the president and said families should view the money as belonging to their children.
The Democratic governor has experience with a similar concept in California. The state operates CalKIDS, a publicly funded children’s savings program intended to help eligible young people pay for college or career training. California has also been developing tools that help families identify state, local and federal programs for which their children qualify.
Newsom’s administration has previously pointed out similarities between California’s programs and Trump Accounts, at times accusing Trump of borrowing ideas pioneered by the state. In January, Newsom’s office described Trump Accounts as following California’s example while nevertheless welcoming the expansion of children’s investment accounts nationwide.
That history makes Newsom’s latest comments particularly notable. Rather than using the similarities to attack Trump, he openly encouraged Californians to participate in the federal program and praised the underlying policy for providing children with tangible financial assets.
The governor also credited lawmakers from both parties who have promoted children’s investment accounts, including Democratic Sen. Cory Booker and Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. His comments framed early childhood investment as an issue capable of crossing the increasingly sharp partisan divide in Washington.
Newsom’s praise comes as speculation continues surrounding his national political ambitions. The California governor is widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028, while Trump has repeatedly attacked Newsom and his record governing California.
But on Trump Accounts, the two political rivals have found substantial common ground. Despite years of bitter exchanges between Sacramento and the White House, Newsom is telling California parents that politics should not stop them from claiming the federal benefit — and describing the program as one of Trump’s strongest accomplishments.