Part 2/7:
As California continues to grapple with a series of pressing issues, including devastating wildfires and a rising homeless population, Governor Newsom has been vocal in his requests for federal support. During a visit from Trump, the two men exchanged pleasantries, but the underlying political dynamics were impossible to ignore. Newsom's overtures for collaboration came simultaneously with a need for significant federal aid, especially after estimating that the financial toll from recent disasters could reach as high as $250 billion, a stark contrast to the $2.5 billion previously allocated for recovery efforts.