California Governor Gavin Newsom decided to serve up some political spice this week, taking aim at former President Donald Trump on two fronts: foreign policy and environmental policy. It's the kind of move that makes you wonder if the governor's social media team has a standing order for extra hot sauce.
In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, the governor's official press handle took a jab following reports that the White House under Trump would be willing to pull out of the Iran conflict. The message was short and punchy: "TACO Tuesday coming a day early…"
If you're not up on your political acronyms, TACO stands for "Trump Always Chickens Out." It's a term that gained traction last year, born from a pattern where the former president would threaten tariffs against other countries, only to delay them, leading to further negotiation. On Wall Street, the "TACO trade" became a thing—traders would buy stocks at a lower price following a tariff announcement and then sell them for a profit once the tariffs were, predictably, delayed. It's a strategy that turns political volatility into a financial snack.
But Newsom wasn't done with the menu. In a separate post, his press office served a heaping portion of criticism over Trump's decision to restart the Sable pipeline off the Santa Barbara coast. "Trump has reopened an oil pipeline that caused a massive oil spill off the coast of California that won't bring prices at the pump down," the post stated, adding that the decision puts communities and a "$51 Billion coastal economy at risk."
Here's the backstory: the pipeline was at the center of controversy after a 2015 oil spill led to its closure. State officials and environmental groups have been fighting against its reopening ever since. Now, the pipeline is reportedly set to supply crude oil to Chevron Corp (CVX).
This comes at a time when fuel prices are squeezing wallets nationwide. Data from the American Automobile Association shows the national average for a gallon of gasoline was $3.990 on Monday, flirting with the $4 mark. In California, the pain is even more acute—a gallon costs $5.877, making it the most expensive in the country. So, the argument that reopening a controversial pipeline won't lower pump prices adds a layer of frustration for drivers already feeling the pinch.
The criticism of Trump's Iran policy isn't coming from Newsom alone. Several lawmakers have voiced sharp concerns about the administration's approach to the conflict. Senator Elizabeth Warren, for instance, has called for an end to the war, pointing to the surge in gas and jet fuel costs as a major reason. It's a reminder that foreign policy decisions often have very domestic consequences, showing up in your monthly budget.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East added another wrinkle. A Kuwaiti oil tanker was struck over 31 nautical miles off the coast of Dubai, sparking fears of an oil spill in the region. Authorities denied any spill occurred, but the incident highlights how fragile the situation is—and how quickly events can escalate, potentially disrupting global oil markets.
So, what's the takeaway from all this? Newsom's dual critique connects two seemingly separate issues: geopolitical maneuvering and local environmental risk. Both involve Trump, both carry economic implications, and both are being framed as potential liabilities. Whether you see it as political theater or substantive policy debate, one thing's clear: in the world of energy and international relations, the stakes are always high, and the bill often comes due at the pump.
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