California Governor Gavin Newsom stunned political observers on Friday when he publicly encouraged families to enroll in a federal savings program named after President Donald Trump. The Democrat has been a leading voice against Trump’s policies, making his endorsement of the program all the more striking.
Gavin Newsom praises Trump account in rare comments
Newsom made the remarks in San Francisco while announcing that one million California children have claimed CalKIDS accounts, the state’s college savings initiative. He used the occasion to highlight a complementary federal program that carries his rival’s name. “I’m enthusiastic about encouraging people to get a Trump Account,” Newsom said. “I think it’s incredibly important.”
The governor did not shy away from acknowledging the tension between his political identity and his current message. When addressing whether Donald Trump’s polarizing reputation might keep families away, Gavin Newsom admitted the concern was valid. “I think it’s a legit barrier,” Newsom said. “I’m pretty aggressive pushing back against Trump, but not on this. This was one of the really outstanding things that this administration has done. And they deserve a lot of credit.”
Newsom urged Californians to separate policy from personality. “I hope people get the benefit of this program and don’t look at the politics of it,” he added. California’s CalKIDS program launched statewide in 2022. It provides state-funded savings accounts to eligible children, with school-age participants receiving up to $1,500 and newborns up to $175. The money must go toward education or career training expenses.
Trump Accounts work under different rules. The federal government created these investment accounts for children under 18 who hold Social Security numbers. Children born between 2025 and 2028 qualify for a one-time $1,000 federal contribution. The funds sit in investment accounts that grow with the stock market, similar to an IRA. Families, employers, and philanthropists can contribute additional money.
Millions of California children may qualify for multiple savings programs simultaneously. To address this, Newsom announced that the state will launch a new online tool this fall. The system will show families which local, state, and federal programs their children can access, including CalKIDS, California HOPE accounts, ScholarShare 529 accounts, and Trump Accounts.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
