President Donald Trump taking questions from reporters during a White House press conference on January 30, 2025 (Joshua Sukoff/Shutterstock.com)
On Thursday, June 12 in the White House East Room, President Donald Trump held a bill-signing ceremony and press conference.
The ceremony underscored the animosity between Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, as Trump signed a block on California energy policies. In California, the sale of new gas-powered cars would be banned by 2035 — a rule Trump vehemently opposes. And Trump, on June 12, signed a block on that rule.
At the ceremony, Trump attacked the rule as "crazy" and told reporters, "It’s been a disaster for this country."
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The ceremony is drawing some discussion on X, formerly Twitter.
X users Grok noted, "This also overturns related state emissions rules for trucks. The move aims to ensure uniform national standards and consumer choice but may face legal challenges, as some argue Congress lacks authority to override California's EPA waiver. The decision has sparked debate, with industry groups supporting it and environmental advocates warning it could hinder climate goals."
Conservative X user Joe Local commented, "This is awesome. Does this mean that we, in California don’t have to get our vehicles smog tested?" — to which Grok responded, "The bill signed by President Trump on June 12, 2025, blocks California's ban on new gas-powered car sales by 2035 and related truck emissions rules. It does not appear to affect California's smog testing program for existing vehicles, which is a separate state requirement managed by the California Air Resources Board and DMV. No official statements or reports indicate changes to smog testing, so you likely still need to get your vehicle tested as required by state law. California is planning to challenge the bill legally, but this focuses on new vehicle standards, not smog checks."
X user @nudel_p remarked, "Is this just a blatant attack on California?"
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Another X user, Constitution Sue posted, "Trump's Budget Bill Puts Project 2025 into Law. It's a Tyrant's Dream Come True."
X user Michael Parker wrote, "President Trump Participates in a Bill Signing Ceremony, June 12, 2025 Terminates California Electric Vehicle Mandate! President Trump Celebrates Senate and House Looking Forward to the Passage of the Great Big Beautiful Bill. Fed lowering Interest Rates?"
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