GOOD COP, BAD COP: Gov. Gavin Newsom says he wants to handle Donald Trump’s next term with “an open hand, not a closed fist,” but he can’t seem to resist slapping the president-elect around a bit, too. At a press conference today in northern Colusa County to tout his economic plans, the governor showed signs of a softer approach toward Trump, insisting there are areas where the two can “unite” and “bring people together.” But Newsom also didn’t hesitate to take pops at everything from Trump’s self-branded products to his relations with world leaders. It comes as Newsom tries to project a more measured tone toward the incoming Trump presidency. But today’s press conference suggests that will be a tough balance to strike given that the governor has long relished going on the offensive. On one hand, Newsom took pains to avoid using terms like “Trump-proofing” and “resistance” to describe the special legislative session he called in the wake of the election, telling reporters those are “not my words.” “'Resistance' is your words, not my words,” Newsom said at the press conference, part of his tour across rural parts of the state to showcase his jobs programs. “I'm just making sure we're prepared … to hit the ground running before Jan. 20.” But at the same time, he took each chance he could to swipe at his longtime political foil. “What's the impact of Donald Trump on a lot of these things?” Newsom asked while responding to a question about the state budget. “What's the impact of federal vandalism to a lot of these programs, and cuts to the programs, or block granting the programs?” Here’s a taste of some of Newsom's taunts: On incoming “border czar” Tom Homan telling Democratic leaders to “get the hell out of the way” on immigration. Newsom claimed he didn’t have a response when our colleague Camille von Kaenel asked for one. But then he called the statement “fire and fury.” “It's typical rhetoric,” Newsom said. “I've watched him on Fox for years, so it's unsurprising. I don't know what it means, honestly. I know what our approach is — to continue to do what we've done. We don't get in the way of the federal right to enforce federal law, using federal resources.” And he made a point to mention the Trump nominee again later in the press conference, arguing “rhetoric like Mr. Homan” could result in undocumented immigrants opting not to access emergency care or medical treatment. On whether he’s been able to talk to Trump after recently getting the silent treatment. Newsom talked about his lack of communication with the president-elect on his “Politickin’” podcast shortly after the election. When asked whether the two have spoken since, Newsom again took the chance to make a dig: “Trump’s selling fragrances, so I can promote my damn podcast,” he said, referencing the perfume the incoming president recently advertised on social media using a photo of first lady Jill Biden. To answer the question, Newsom couldn’t resist getting in another jab, referencing how the president-elect mockingly referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “Governor Trudeau.” “I anticipate we will,” Newsom said of ultimately getting a conversation with Trump. “You know, he called Trudeau, ‘Governor Trudeau.’ Maybe I could become prime minister of California.” IT’S TUESDAY AFTERNOON. This is California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check on California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to lholden@politico.com.
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