The presidency of Donald Trump
has pitted liberals and conservatives
against each other with protests, marches
and scathing fourth grade art projects.
But in California, liberal activist Marcus Ruiz Evans
has a bold, new idea for relieving the tension.
California could simply leave America and become a nation.
California's supposed to be chill,
but this doesn't sound very chill.
This maverick wants California to divorce the United States,
and he's aiming to put California secession
on November's ballot.
Marcus and his organization called Yes California
say their state has a unique identity
that's separate from America.
You have two cultures that are vastly different
with California values versus American values.
KOSTA: But what were these vast differences?
California's the place that welcomes immigrants.
So do you have a big statue up that says,
"Bring me your poor, your tired, your weak"?
Uh, we have the Golden Gate Bridge.
So California's Statue of Liberty
is just longer, you can drive on it,
and people also commit suicide off it quite frequently.
So what else you got?
The idea of national parks. We invented that.
-Yeah? -The idea of clean air.
-Those sort of big ideas. -So you want to create a country
that believes in big ideas
-Yes. -and wants to welcome immigrants.
-Yes. -It sounds to me like you're stealing
-America's ideas. -We are.
KOSTA: Original idea or not,
this bear fondler has collected thousands of signatures
supporting his plan.
But Northern California radio host
and computer hoarder Paul Preston
thinks Yes California is a bad idea.
Well, Yes California is not gonna work.
Californians are all Americans and Americans first.
KOSTA: Finally, a reasonable person.
And Paul has a simple plan
to fix all this California conflict.
We're creating New California.
And what is New California?
Well, we want to take California and split it into two states.
I mean, hey, it worked for Israel and Palestine.
-Right? Come on. -That's right.
KOSTA: So instead of losing one California,
we gain two Californias.
And surprise, surprise, Paul claims his California
has its own unique identity.
When I think of California, I think of Botox,
crystals, milk that comes from nuts.
What am I missing?
California, at its core, is a conservative state,
but those people have been suppressed.
KOSTA: Although eight million Californians voted for Hillary,
four million voted for Trump.
So for them, Paul gerrymandered
a second, conservative California,
one without Hollywood, Silicon Valley or Wine Country?
This is the fun California, and this is the shit California.
Why do you want the shit California?
We believe that that's the best part of California.
It's based on ruralness.
It's got to feel nice once you separate
to be free from all that excessive tax revenue
over there in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles County.
Well, we'll have San Diego County.
So San Diego--
is that 'cause you want to keep the Chargers or...?
-They're gone. -You don't even have the fucking Chargers?
But there's one person who doesn't like
this two-state solution.
We're gonna campaign for every county in California
to stay part of California.
What do you say to all those Californians
that voted for Trump?
You're welcome to leave if you don't like it.
-That's what Americans believe. -Uh...
If you don't want to be in America, then get out.
-Well... -You stole that, too.
Wow, liberals and conservatives in this state
really are at odds.
But how bad can it be?
My biggest fear is a lot of people are gonna die,
-which is what happened in the Civil War. -(exhales)
KOSTA: Now we're talking civil war?
That's not California. Californians are hippies.
Will it be hard to fight a civil war
if you don't eat protein or believe in guns?
New California will bomb the shit out of you guys.
-Uh, they won't. -KOSTA: Uh, they will,
and this civil war has more than two sides.
In the course of shooting this piece,
novelty tie enthusiast Tim Draper
has introduced a third initiative:
to split California into three states.
We're trying to create states for the next millennial.
KOSTA: And guess who doesn't like the idea of a three-way,
besides my girlfriend?
It's better for California if California sticks together.
We shouldn't let our differences tear California apart.
We should let your differences tear America apart.
I-I... That's a tough one.
KOSTA: But which out of the box plan
did Californians actually want?
I headed for Venice Beach to find out.
-I don't think they should be their own country. -Why? Why?
I think that's pretty stupid.
KOSTA: Okay, they don't like the liberal plan,
so they must be conservative.
What do you see here? Do you see a Muslim man
who's trying to take an American job?
-He's a comedian. -But he's a Muslim comedian.
I mean, how come he gets all the best segments?
-You know? -'Cause he's funny.
You know what, we're gonna edit that.
These liberals are so impossible.
Maybe we should split up the state.
If you're a liberal, stay on the blue side.
If you're a conservative, stay on the right side, please.
Okay?
Make America Great Again, buddy.
This is where you put Korea, isn't it?
South Korea, North Korea.
(speaking foreign language)
Oh, no!
KOSTA: Seems like the only thing Californians can agree on
is how stupid all of these plans are.
Oh, and legalizing weed.
I got two hours before the flight,
so let me go investigate that story.