California Governor Gavin Newsom faces intense online backlash after sharing an AI-generated video depicting President Donald Trump and other top administration officials being arrested. The video, which garnered over 5.7 million views, shows Trump, Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller in handcuffs as law enforcement officers stand behind them.
The clip was posted by Newsom’s social media team in response to a White House account titled “It’s cuffing season,” which referenced President Trump’s mass deportation efforts with the caption: “Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America.”
Multiple comments accused Newsom of inciting political violence, including a statement from Peter Navarro: “I went to prison, defending the constitution because of woke assholes like you who Weaponized our justice system. This isn’t close to funny. All you are doing is inciting more violence.” Navarro referenced his four-month imprisonment for refusing a congressional subpoena related to January 6.
Actor Dean Cain labeled Newsom “an absolute idiot,” while Mark Hemingway noted that the video would complicate efforts to prosecute Trump administration figures if Newsom becomes president. Scott Jennings stated that such actions might be necessary to win the Democratic nomination in 2028 by promising to jail Trump and his appointees.
In response to Navarro’s criticism, Newsom posted a snowflake emoji. Critics highlighted Newsom’s hypocrisy after he signed legislation restricting misleading AI video content on social media before posting his own such video. One user remarked: “Newsom signed anti 1st amendment laws that would ban this type of content. Always a hypocrite.”
Newsom is widely considered to be building national recognition ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.
