California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been working to elevate his national profile since around 2022 or so, when rumors swirled that maybe Joe Biden wouldn't run for a second term.
Not long after President Trump was sworn in, Newsom kicked things up a notch, starting a cringeworthy podcast where he got himself in trouble with the "T" part of the Alphabet Mafia. He's also increased his media appearances to market himself as the face of The Resistance™, and has taken trips across the country to lecture red states, of all places, on the supposed dangers of continued Republican leadership.
We've also seen him on X more as he seeks to debunk inconvenient truths about the Golden State and gaslight social media users over the crime and homelessness issues that have plagued it for decades, problems the last thirty years or so of which Newsom has promised (and failed) to clean up.
DIVE DEEPER: Whiny Gavin Newsom Files Hurt Feelings Report After Trump's Criticisms Hit Too Close to Home
The latest example happened after an X user responded to a post from the governor, calling California a "sh*thole." The Gov's response was to post four professional photos, presumably of his home state (language warning):
There were myriad problems, with one of them being that one of the photos appeared to be a Nevada image, not a California one:
The other problem is that less flattering images of California were left out:
Relatedly, here's Newsom trying to play clean up on very damning remarks he made in November 2023, where he admitted he and other city and state "leaders" were cleaning up San Francisco better than it ever had been only because national and international leaders were getting ready to visit for an APEC conference.
First, here's the direct quote from a presser that happened shortly before the dignitaries arrived, where he was announcing a new street tree nursery:
"I know folks are saying, 'Oh they're just cleaning up this place because all those fancy leaders are coming to town.' That's true because it's true, but it's also true for months and months and months prior to APEC we've been having conversations,"
Watch (language warning):
The bottom line, of course, is that Newsom's priorities revolve around trying to put on a good show for the Important People and pretending to Do Something™ all while the state's residents continue to suffer to the point many have decided to pack up and head for the exits - and straight to the red states Newsom loathes the most.
Gavin Newsom can try to run from the truth about his state and his political legacy all he wants to, but it will eventually catch up with him, perhaps just in time for his anticipated 2028 presidential run.
Editor's Note: President Trump is leading America into the "Golden Age" as Democrats try desperately to stop it.
Please help us continue to report on President Trump's successes. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.