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President Donald Trump criticized Gov. Virginia Abigail Spanberger before meetings in the state on Saturday, warning that her policies are starting to leave the tax base like New York and California.
Trump, in an early morning Truth Social post, said the Democratic governor has imposed a wave of taxes that he says are crippling the country’s economy.
“Adding more taxes, food and beverage tax, digital services tax, utility tax, and more,” Trump wrote. “It’s lost Power, Power, Power. People are leaving that they would never have thought to do!”
Trump’s comments come as Spanberger faces Republican criticism of the tax and revenue proposal, with GOP lawmakers warning that the measures could hurt Virginia’s business climate, while his office says they are needed to fund priorities.
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Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and President Donald Trump are shown in a separate photo as Trump criticized the governor’s tax policies and warned of possible business immigration. (Marvin Joseph/Getty Images; Brendan Smilowski / AFP)
Spanberger has supported a series of revenue measures since taking office, including proposals to increase taxes on digital services and business activity, as part of a broader effort to fund priorities like education and health care. Republicans have criticized those efforts as tax increases that would make the state less competitive.
Trump said companies willing to relocate to Virginia under former Governor Glenn Youngkin are now reconsidering those decisions.
“The new companies that signed into the Commonwealth under Governor Youngkin are now looking for ways to get out – Break their Agreement,” he said.
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The Virginia State Capitol during the inauguration of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger in Richmond on Jan. 17, 2026. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot/Getty Images)
The president, who said he was referring to Virginia during meetings at the Trump National Golf Club, compared it to high-tax states like New York and California, which he has often criticized.
“We have a similar situation in New York and, above all, in California, where wealthy, job-producing and corporate people are being forced to FLY at unprecedented rates,” Trump wrote.
He added that California’s tax base was “literally disappearing” as wealthy individuals and corporations moved out, warning that Virginia could face a similar situation.
“Remember, if people and companies leave, they will never come back!” Trump said.
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Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger presented the Democratic Alliance’s response to US President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026, Williamsburg, Virginia. (Mike Kropf/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital has reached out to Spanberger’s office for comment.
Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the 2025 gubernatorial race, won the Democratic Alliance. Youngkin was ineligible for re-election under state law.
He has campaigned on issues including health care and abortion rights, while positioning himself as a moderate alternative despite GOP criticism of his voting record.
