Sacramento, CA – September 30, 2025
In a move that has left many Californians divided, state lawmakers have voted to rename the San Andreas Fault to “Trump’s Fault.” The decision comes after months of heated debate, with supporters arguing that, since “everything is Trump’s fault anyway,” the name change makes sense in today’s political climate. Governor Gavin Newsom has already promised to sign the bill into law “as soon as possible.”
A Symbolic Jab
State Senator Maria Cortez, who introduced the bill, explained the reasoning behind the provocative renaming during the legislative session. “It seems like every disaster in the country eventually gets blamed on Trump,” she said. “Whether it’s wildfires, hurricanes, or economic downturns, there’s always someone saying, ‘It’s Trump’s fault.’ So if half the state slides into the ocean after an earthquake, of course, people will say it’s because of Trump. So we decided we might as well make it official.”
The San Andreas Fault is one of the most well-known geological fault lines in the world, running through much of California and posing the risk of a catastrophic earthquake.
Newsom’s Swift Action
Governor Gavin Newsom wasted no time in backing the measure. “This state has a long history of embracing bold, unconventional ideas,” Newsom said in a statement. “Renaming the San Andreas Fault as ‘Trump’s Fault’ is a perfect reflection of California’s spirit. We lead the nation in environmental policies, and I’ll gladly sign this into law as soon as it hits my desk.”
Newsom’s quick endorsement of the bill has only fueled the controversy. While some applaud his spirit, others see the move as a waste of time and resources.
Mixed Reactions
The renaming has sparked a flurry of reactions, both serious and humorous. Social media lit up immediately after the vote, with the hashtag #TrumpsFault trending nationwide. Some users took the opportunity to join in on the satire, while others expressed frustration over what they view as political grandstanding.
One user tweeted, “Of course it’s #TrumpsFault. If I lose my house to an earthquake, I know exactly who to blame now.” Another user posted, “I’d rather California focus on stopping the next big quake than play political games. Is this really going to help?”
Political commentators were equally divided. Conservative pundits condemned the decision, calling it an “unnecessary jab” at President Donald Trump, while liberal voices cheered it on as a clever dig at Trump.
Critics Fire Back
Republican lawmakers in California have been vocal in their opposition. “This is absurd and a distraction from the real issues facing our state,” said Assemblyman Rick Wallace. “We have homeless crises, water shortages, and real infrastructure problems. Instead of tackling those, our government is focused on renaming a fault line for political points.”
Wallace went on to accuse the legislature of turning serious geological risks into a joke. “The San Andreas Fault is a major seismic threat. Renaming it as some kind of political stunt doesn’t make us any safer, and it certainly won’t protect us from the next earthquake.”
Even some geologists have weighed in, expressing concern that the satirical name might undermine public awareness of seismic dangers. “This might be funny, but it doesn’t change the fact that the San Andreas Fault is a ticking time bomb,” said Dr. Michael Grant, a seismologist at UC Berkeley. “We need to be focusing on preparedness and early warning systems, not making light of the situation.”
What’s Next?
Though the renaming bill has now passed both legislative chambers and is headed to Governor Newsom’s desk, there are still hurdles to clear. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which oversees official geographic names, will ultimately have the final say on whether “Trump’s Fault” can be adopted on national maps.
However, California’s legislature seems committed to pushing the change through. “Even if the federal government doesn’t recognize it, Trump’s Fault will be the name on our state maps,” said Cortez. “This is California. We do things our way.”
As the controversy grows, it remains to be seen how the public will react once the name change becomes official. But one thing is certain: “Trump’s Fault” has already become a talking point, turning a literal fault line into yet another battleground in the culture wars.