'That's not what I said': Gavin Newsom tells his version of phone call with Trump

FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2018 file photo, President Donald Trump talks with Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, left, as California Gov. Jerry Brown listens during a visit to a neighborhood impacted by the Camp wildfire in Paradise, Calif. less FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2018 file photo, President Donald Trump talks with Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, left, as California Gov. Jerry Brown listens during a visit to a neighborhood impacted by the Camp wildfire in ... more Photo: Evan Vucci, Associated Press Photo: Evan Vucci, Associated Press Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close 'That's not what I said': Gavin Newsom tells his version of phone call with Trump 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

California Governor Gavin Newsom denied calling President Donald Trump a "great president" and "one of the smartest people" he's ever met during a private phone call with the president.

During a speech at CPAC last week, Trump said that Newsom "loves him."

"He called me up the other day, let's say four weeks ago or so," Trump said of Newsom. "[He said] 'I just want to tell you, you're a great president and you're one of the smartest people I've ever met.' That's what he said. Will he admit it? No, I doubt it... And then he did start talking about in all fairness, additional money for the fire, which is OK, we have great talks. I like him."

During a Monday night appearance on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, Newsom laughed off Trump's description of what happened on the phone call.

“You can’t make this up... that’s not what I said.”



California Gov. @GavinNewsom says Pres. Trump mischaracterized a phone call they shared, suggesting he did not call Trump “one of the smartest people I’ve ever met,” as Trump publicly claimed. pic.twitter.com/PzlAhqzP8f — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) March 12, 2019

"You can't make this up," Newsom chuckled. "I called the president because I wanted to extend him my appreciation —I've said this publicly not just privately— of his visit out here to Butte County, we've had these historic wildfires out here primarily because of climate change and I wanted to express the fact that the people in those communities were grateful to him, and I was grateful to him."

MORE TRUMP VS. NEWSOM: Trump, Gavin Newsom clash over high-speed rail, border wall money

Newsom denied calling Trump a "great president" and "one of the smartest people" he's met.

"Somehow that got conflated," he said. "I think we hear what we want to hear, so no I can't admit to what I said to the president privately because that's not what I said."

The governor said he is still committed to working with the Trump administration on emergency preparedness.

"I do want to work with him on emergency preparedness and emergency planning," he said. "I do want to rise above this politics, I think that's important and I think people expect that. To the extent we can continue to have an open hand and not a clenched fist, I'm all for it."

NEW BUDGET: Trump calls for $8.6 billion for border wall

Trump and Newsom have publicly clashed on many occasions, but Trump told the CPAC audience that the governor is a "nice guy" in private.

"When we're face to face, nice guy, when he talks about me, not so nice," Trump said. "But he loves me ... They say things, politicians, to your face, and then they give a news conference two days later and you're like, 'Where did he come from? Where did he come from?'"

The president attacked Governor Newsom on Twitter this weekend after Newsom toured a new shelter for asylum seekers funded by California taxpayer dollars.

I hope the grandstanding Governor of California is able to spend his very highly taxed citizens money on asylum holds more efficiently than money has been spent on the so-called Fast Train, which is $Billions over budget & in total disarray. Time to reduce taxes in California! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2019 A simple choice:



An America that separates kids from their parents and dumps LEGAL asylum seekers on our streets...



- or -



A country that lives up to its ideals, cares for its children, and provides food, medical care, and shelter for families in need.pic.twitter.com/WMSVBZIJAn — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 10, 2019

"I hope the grandstanding Governor of California is able to spend his very highly taxed citizens money on asylum holds more efficiently than money has been spent on the so-called Fast Train, which is $Billions over budget & in total disarray," the president tweeted on Saturday. "Time to reduce taxes in California!"

RELATED: Court rules that rejected asylum seekers can appeal in US court system

In response, Newsom tweeted, "A simple choice: An America that separates kids from their parents and dumps LEGAL asylum seekers on our streets... - or - A country that lives up to its ideals, cares for its children, and provides food, medical care, and shelter for families in need."

Newsom defended the shelter by stating that the federal government should be providing aid to asylum seekers.

"The federal government should be doing this," he said. "It's the federal government's responsibility. These are people who came here legally, I just want to pause and reflect on that. These are people that came through the process legally, seeking asylum legally."

Eric Ting is an SFGATE staff writer. Email him at eting@sfchronicle.com and follow him on Twitter

Start receiving breaking news emails on floods, wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news.