Newsom and Trump’s awkward moments
Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom was clearly uncomfortable during President Trump’s visit to see the fire devastation in Paradise and Southern California — and with good reason.
Trump had earlier branded Newsom “a clown” at one of his midterm rallies, and the two have sparred in the press over immigration, climate change and other issues.
But aside from the ongoing national political show between Trump and the deepblue Newsom, there are some
behind-the-scenes personal issues at play as well.
“You have to remember that Gavin is almost an in-law to Trump by extension,” said one Newsom friend, referring to Newsom’s ex-wife and former Fox News anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is dating Donald Trump Jr.
Newsom has done his best over the years to keep a cordial relationship with the outspoken Guilfoyle, calling her regularly and even talking with Donald Jr.
And while Newsom and Guilfoyle still keep in touch, camp Newsom also wants to keep the lines open “because you never know what she will do or say,” the friend said.
So, while being respectful of the office of the presidency and the help the president can give to fire victims, Newsom did his best to keep a safe and slightly detached distance from Trump during the tour.
And it worked until Point Mugu in Ventura County, when Trump told the assembled cameras, “I know we are going to work together, I have no doubt.”
Then, extending his right hand to Newsom — who was standing 4 feet off to his side — Trump commanded, “Come here.”
He then pulled Newsom in close, patted him on the arm, and declared, “I have no doubt, right? We’re going to get it done.”
Newsom, nodding his head agreement, patted Trump on the back and quickly recoiled.
Asked about their newfound, albeit uncomfortable, display of chumminess Sunday, Newsom spokesman Dan Newman said, “It was certainly a surreal day, but you have to do whatever is necessary to get federal help with relief and recovery for these communities.”
And from their perspective, the less said about it — the better. Pedal power: The longheld — and often discounted — idea of a bike lane along the western span of the Bay Bridge between Yerba Buena Island and San Francisco may be more of a reality than many have assumed up until now.
For starters, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission has spent $10 million on the first step, getting a plan for the bike path ready.
And as anyone familiar with transportation projects knows, “One study leads to another and then another and then another until eventually you have a plan,” said MTC spokesman John Goodwin.
Goodwin acknowledges that the estimated $300 million-plus cost of the path “is a boatful of money.”
“So it is going to take a long time, if it even comes into fruition,” Goodwin said.
True, but there is also the political power of the Bay Area’s bike coalitions at play here.
For while cyclists represent less than 2 percent of the overall Bay Area commuter traffic, groups such as the San Francisco Bike Coalition — which has thousands of members — have become a potent force in lobbying for transportation funding.
Just look at the explosion of bike lanes throughout the Bay Area in recent years.
As for where the $300 million-plus will come from?
“Potentially from a future ‘mega measure’ to fully fund significant Bay Area transit projects, including the second transbay rail crossing,” said bike-friendly state Sen. Scott Wiener. “But this funding measure is still in the very early concept stages.” Zoo suit: There’s a new twist in the custody battle for Ndume — the longtime companion of Koko, the gorilla made famous by the Gorilla Foundation of Woodside for being able to use sign language. Koko died in her sleep at the age of 46 in June.
On Tuesday, a pair of high-powered California law firms working pro bono on behalf of the foundation filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Francisco seeking to block the Cincinnati Zoo from reclaiming Ndume, who was Koko’s companion of 27 years.
The move follows another lawsuit filed by the Cincinnati Zoo last month that claims the foundation has gone back on an agreement that called for the ape to be returned to the zoo after Koko’s death. Zookeepers assert in their court filing that Ndume would be better off living with her relatives in Cincinnati.
The Gorilla Foundation’s attorneys disagree, and allege that the move
to get Ndume back is in retaliation for the foundation’s work to expose “zoo mistreatment of intelligent, sensitive creatives.”
Foundation attorney David Casselman tells us the Woodside group has been seeking to find a new companion for Ndume, but so far has been stymied by the Cincinnati Zoo and other animal groups that don’t want the apes learning to communicate, which can lead to questions about gorillas being sought by zoos for their entertainment value.
Casselman and cocounsel Frank Pitre also allege “physical and emotional health” worries in returning Ndume to the zoo.
Cincinnati Zoo spokesman Chad Yelson said they were only acting based on “the official recommendation” of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and an updated pledge by the Gorilla Foundation in 2015 to return Ndume to a zoo setting once Koko had died.
“They considered all options available for Ndume and determined that Cincinnati Zoo could provide him with the best home after Koko’s death,” Yelson said, adding that “he has been completely isolated from other gorillas since June.”
San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@ sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross