President Trump garnered some rare praise from California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday.
The Democrat praised Trump’s Opportunity Zones program, part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that gives tax breaks to businesses in impoverished neighborhoods to spur investment. Newsom’s comments came during a speech at Stanford University, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The California governor said the opportunity zones could help the state meet its climate change goals by promoting investment into energy and could help combat California’s housing shortage. Newsom acknowledged the strange scenario where he was complimenting Trump, with whom he has frequently sparred.
“We all heard about these opportunity zones. We were a bit perplexed,” Newsom said. “A lot of us, at least on my side of the political aisle, said, ‘That actually sounds like a good idea. Wait a second, it came out of which administration?’ I’m still trying to get my arms around it. Maybe it’s too good of an idea.”
Trump has criticized Newsom for signing a bill that pays for transporting and sheltering illegal immigrants and asylum-seekers in San Diego County. The president blasted Newsom over Twitter last week after the California Democrat signed an executive order halting the death penalty.
Newsom is divorced from Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host who is dating Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr.
