GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton (left) and California Governor Gavin Newsom (right) (Getty/AP)
Hilton notes that earlier this year, even members of California's Democratic-controlled state Senate unanimously called for an investigation into the state's role in funding the Amazonian oil trade. Oil drilling in the Amazon is rapidly increasing deforestation and destroying the rainforest's biodiversity, according to environmentalists, who argue California's reputation as a climate leader is undermined by its actions drilling oil in the South American rainforest.
Hilton, meanwhile, described Newsom's appearance at the summit as "political theater masquerading as leadership."
This view shows the COP30 logotype at Docks Station in Belem, Para state, Brazil on October 24, 2025. (Photo by THOMAS MORFIN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom's office in response to Hilton's petition calling on COP30 to deny the California governor public appearances at the summit, but only received a six-word response.
"I'm sorry – who is Steve Hilton?" questioned Newsom spokeswoman Izzy Gardon.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/longtime-newsom-critic-puts-un-summit-on-notice-if-dem-governor-allowed-speak-climate-hypocrisy