Gavin Newsom escalates war on Chevron in latest blistering attack

Gavin Newsom lobbed out its most recent attack against Chevron on Thursday, the latest in a months-long tit-for-tat between the two.

The governor’s office shared a screenshot of a news article detailing how the oil giant expected first-quarter earnings to rise between $1.6 billion and $2.2 billion, “fueled by higher oil prices due to the Iran war.”

“While America suffers, Chevron profits,” his team wrote above the post.

The California Post reached out to Chevron for comment.

Chevron has been clashing with the governor over the state’s energy policies. Last month, the company issued a warning that Newsom needs to declare a state of emergency for record-high gas prices.

“California has had, I think, very poor energy policy,” Chevron executive Andy Walz told The New York Times.

“They’ve put a climate agenda ahead of reliable and affordable energy, and the consequences of that are that energy in California — any form of it — is unaffordable.”

The company sent a letter to Newsom, too, warning proposed amendments to the Cap-and-Invest program, which places a strict limit on greenhouse emissions that decreases each year, would close down refineries in the state and spike prices at the pump as a result.

Chevron has been clashing with Gov. Newsom. JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA/Shutterstock

Newsom has blamed President Donald Trump for his decision to go to war with Iran, which has constrained the global oil supply and led to higher prices nationwide.

But the US Oil & Gas Association, which includes Chevron, called Newsom out earlier this month.

“Since Jan 2025, Californians have shelled out an estimated $24–30 billion extra on gasoline since compared to the U.S. average.

“Average premium: $1.30–$2.00/gal (taxes + regs + supply issues). Per driver: $600–$900+ more in just 15 months,” they added.

In what could be perceived as another jab, Chevron also began purchasing oil from Sable Offshore Corp. Newsom is tangling with Trump to stop the president’s actions to restart oil pumping in California through Sable.

Gov. Gavin Newsom. Anadolu via Getty Images

Newsom has treated the broadsides from Chevron with cheek-in-tongue humor.

His office once simply responded “we’re good” to threats of Chevron leaving. It also called Chevron “notoriously overpriced” when suggesting an influencer to search for cheaper gas prices.

The office has accused Trump of trying to make more money for Chevron, too.

As of April 9, the average gas price in California was $5.93, according to the American Automobile Association.

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