California Gov. Gavin Newsom is in the midst of touting his state's leadership on energy policies while in Brazil for a United Nations climate conference. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
"Absolutely," Newsom said Wednesday when asked if California was standing in for the U.S. at the summit, the Los Angeles Times reported. "And I think the world sees us in that light, as a stable partner, a historic partner … in the absence of American leadership. And not just absence of leadership, the doubling down of stupid in terms of global leadership on clean energy."
The governor's office touted amid the trip that, "Greenhouse gas emissions in California are down 21% since 2000 — even as the state’s GDP increased 81% in that same time period," and that "the state was powered by two-thirds clean energy" in 2023.
California currently has the highest average gas prices in the nation, data shows.
The Golden State has long had notoriously high gas prices, and 2025 is no different. California currently has the highest average gas prices in the nation, at an average of $4.67 per gallon, followed by a list of other states, including Hawaii, Washington, Nevada and Oregon.
Holiday travel is about to hit a fever pitch across the country as the aviation industry gets back on its feet following the historically long government shutdown that led to nationwide delays — with many travelers expected to hop in their cars for a road trip this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
The White House slammed California's high gas prices to Fox News Digital Thursday while Newsom was abroad.
"Governor Newscum is working overtime to cement his status as the worst governor in America," White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital. "Under his failed leadership, the great state of California is suffering with some of the highest gas and electricity prices in the country."
"In fact, California drivers pay $1.60 more than the national average for a gallon of gasoline," she added. "Gavin, it’s time to abandon your failed Green New Scam experiment and embrace President Trump’s successful energy dominance agenda."
California Governor Gavin Newsom traveled to Brazil for the COP30 World Climate Conference, touting his state's energy policies while the Trump administration skipped the event. (Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images)
Newsom and Trump have long been political foes, with their battles frequently focusing on energy policy, including Trump slamming Newsom over its water reserves in a state prone to devastating wildfires, and Trump signing a trio of congressional resolutions ending California's restrictive rules for diesel engines and mandates on elective vehicle sales in July.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom's office for comment on the matter but did not immediately receive a response.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/newsom-pushes-climate-record-abroad-californians-shoulder-americas-highest-gas-costs