TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom during an appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime, accusing him of trying to be “fresh” with former President Donald Trump while failing to address problems in his own state.

DeSantis took aim at California’s immigration policies and broader leadership under Newsom, contrasting them with Florida’s approach to governance.

“Instead of focusing on political theater, maybe Newsom should focus on fixing California,” DeSantis suggested, framing the state as plagued by crime, high costs, and outmigration.

The exchange reflects ongoing friction between two of the nation’s most high-profile governors, who have frequently clashed over policy differences on immigration, crime, and economic management.

While Trump remains the central figure in Republican politics, DeSantis’s defense of the former president highlights the GOP’s broader effort to close ranks ahead of the next election cycle.