President Donald Trump touched down in unfamiliar territory Tuesday, landing at LAX ahead of a fundraiser at his luxury SoCal golf course.
Trump was wheels down around 4:40 p.m. local time in Los Angeles, getting off the new Air Force One plane and boarding Marine One. The helicopter will take Trump from LAX to Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California for a Republican National Committee fundraiser.
Trump is expected to tout his administration’s economic record, border security and public safety agenda while taking aim at California’s Democratic leadership during the event.
Trump will attend a roundtable and fundraising dinnerbefore departing for Nevada on Wednesday.
The visit is expected to cause traffic delays and temporary road closures as the presidential motorcade travels roughly 20 to 30 miles from Los Angeles International Airport to Rancho Palos Verdes.
The White House said Trump plans to use the visit to highlight what it describes as major policy successes while drawing contrasts with California’s leadership.
“President Trump will visit California on Tuesday to tout his wins for the people of the Golden State despite failed Democrat leadership: the largest middle-class tax cut ever, the most secure border in American history, and a plummeting crime rate,” White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told The Post.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is widely expected to mount a 2028 presidential campaign, has been one of Trump’s most vocal critics, with the two frequently exchanging barbs. His office pushed back ahead of Trump’s visit, accusing the president of prioritizing fundraising over wildfire recovery.
“Donald Trump is coming to Los Angeles County to raise money while wildfire survivors are still waiting for the federal recovery funding he promised 18 months ago,” Newsom’s office said in a statement. “Californians deserve a president focused on helping families rebuild — not raising money for himself at his golf course.”
In a post Monday night, Newsom’s office also sought to preempt expected criticism by arguing that crime is declining in California and that efforts to combat fraud are ongoing.
Trump’s last official visit to California came in January 2025, when he toured areas devastated by the Palisades and Eaton wildfires.
