Trump warns Virginia could face New York-style tax and business exodus
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President Donald Trump slammed Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger Ahead of conferences within the state Saturday, warning its insurance policies are triggering a tax base exodus much like New York and California.
Trump, in an early morning Truth Social poststated the Democratic governor had imposed a wave of taxes he argued have been draining the state’s financial power.
“She is adding so many Taxes, a Food and Beverage Tax, Digital Services Tax, Utilities Tax, and more,” Trump wrote. “It has lost its Energy, Vitality, and Strength. People are leaving that would never have even thought of doing so!”
Trump’s feedback come as Republicans have criticized Democrats within the state legislature over a slate of tax and income proposals, warning the measures could harm Virginia’s business local weather, though the governor has not publicly supported or signed the measures referenced by Trump.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and President Donald Trump (Marvin Joseph/Getty Images; Brendan Smilowski/AFP)
“New companies that signed to come into the Commonwealth under Governor Youngkin are now looking for ways to get out — Break their Deal,” he stated.
The president, who stated he was heading to Virginia for conferences at Trump National Golf Club, drew comparisons to high-tax states like New York and California, which he has continuously criticized.
“We have a similar situation in New York and, most of all, in California, where Rich, Job Producing people and companies are being forced to FLEE at levels never seen before,” Trump wrote.
He added that California’s tax base was “literally disappearing” as rich people and companies relocate, warning Virginia could face an analogous trajectory.
The Virginia State Capitol in the course of the inauguration ceremony of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger in Richmond Jan. 17, 2026. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot/Getty Images)
“Remember, once people and companies leave, they are never coming back!” Trump stated.
Spanberger pushed again on the criticism in a submit on X, arguing Trump and his allies have been mischaracterizing his insurance policies.
“The president and his allies are talking about taxes that our state legislature never even voted on and I certainly didn’t sign,” she wrote. “Why? Because if they don’t flood the zone with fake news about fake taxes, people might hear about the bills I am signing to lower energy costs, strengthen our schools, make housing more affordable, and bring billions of dollars of business investment to Virginia.”
Spanberger has supported a broader set of income measures since taking workplace, together with proposals concentrating on digital providers and business exercise, as a part of an effort to fund priorities corresponding to training and well being care.
A spokesperson for Spanberger’s workplace additionally issued an announcement criticizing Trump’s claims.
“Virginians are tired of Donald Trump’s lies,” the spokesperson advised Fox News Digital. “Governor Spanberger has signed dozens of bipartisan bills to contend with high housing, healthcare and energy costs for Virginians — and not any of the taxes President Trump and his allies are lying about.”
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The spokesperson added that companies have introduced “more than $500 million in new investment in the commonwealth since Governor Spanberger took office in January,” whereas accusing Trump of specializing in politics as a substitute of financial stability.
“The ballgame changed when the President — whose been busy raising costs for Virginians by starting a reckless war that has skyrocketed inflation and driven gas prices up to $4 — strongly-armed states into drawing more Republican congressional seats that he asserted he was ‘entitled’ to before the midterms,” the governor’s spokesperson added. “As prices rise in Trump’s economy, Governor Spanberger will continue his work with both parties to address the high housing, healthcare, and energy costs that Virginians are feeling.”
On Saturday, House Speaker Mike Johnson and former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin additionally took goal at Spanberger as a state vote on redistricting approaches throughout a rally in Rockingham County opposing Democrats’ proposed 10-1 gerrymander forward of the April 21 referendum election.
“She talks like a moderate, and she governs like a Marxist,” Johnson stated. “I mean, this is serious stuff.”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers the Democratic response to US President Donald Trump’s State of the Union tackle on Feb. 24, 2026, in Williamsburg, Va. (Mike Kropf/Getty Images)
Johnson additionally warned that the end result in Virginia could have nationwide implications, citing the GOP’s slim House majority.
Youngkin, in the meantime, accused Spanberger of weakening public security insurance policies within the state.
“She says she’s going to stand for public safety, and she makes Virginia a sanctuary state after one of the most successful federal-state collaborations in the entire country,” Youngkin stated. “We arrested thousands of violent criminals who are here illegally, and she put a stop to it.”
Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears within the 2025 gubernatorial racesecuring a Democratic win. Youngkin was not eligible for re-election underneath state legislation.
Spanberger campaigned on points together with well being care and abortion rights, whereas positioning herself as a extra average various regardless of GOP criticism of her voting file.
Fox News Digital’s Preston Mizell contributed to this report.
