Newsom jabs at ‘MAGA trolls' as he broadens information war
SACRAMENTO, California — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched a website fact-checking anonymous X accounts , in-state Republicans and President Donald Trump — escalating a campaign to defend his home state and record against false and misleading information online.
The governor voraciously consumes conservative media and has adopted creative strategies to counter its influence by appearing on Fox News, deploying staff to counter criticism on X and creating another site to fact check claims about this year's fires in Los Angeles.
This latest expansion of his efforts, first reported here, establishes a more comprehensive website that goes beyond tackling a deluge of false information about the fires. The governor plans to use the site, funded by his Campaign for Democracy political action committee, to rapidly respond to claims from Trump, Elon Musk and conservative influencers. He has repeatedly lamented Democrats' failures to break through information ecosystems dominated by Trump supporters and Republicans and earlier this year launched a podcast to both connect with — and push back on — opposition figures.
'This site is for everyone sick of the BS about California,' Newsom said in a statement. 'We're done letting the MAGA trolls define the Golden State. We're going on the offense and fighting back — with facts.'
Posts already on the site dispense with some serious whoppers from questionable sources. One claim, from an X account named 'Beauty Hub,' incorrectly asserts that stealing up to $950 is legal in California. Another post, from Libs of TikTok, falsely claimed California reservoirs ran dry during the LA fires.
Californiafacts.com deploys some of Newsom's go-to answers for common criticisms of his home state. It responds to economic digs by touting California's status as the fourth-largest economy. To an X post that accused Democrats of being a party of 'zealous open border immigration,' it notes the federal government's jurisdiction over the issue and cites the economic benefits of people commuting across the Mexico-California border for work.
'We're living in a new world of disinformation, and Governor Newsom has been on the front lines of fighting it, first with the fires, and now against a whole slew of lies being launched by the far right,' Newsom campaign spokesperson Nathan Click said in an interview. 'It's part of a multi-platform campaign and longstanding push by him to set the record straight.'
The site, like the previous one that was focused on the fires, solicits donations for recovery efforts in Los Angeles. But it also leans into Newsom's role as leading messenger for the Democratic party ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run — a perch from which Newsom is fundraising.
'If your online algorithms have ever led you into the far-right internet, you know it is a fact-free environment filled with conspiracy theories and disinformation,' Newsom wrote in a fundraising email Tuesday.
'Stay vigilant,' he urged, 'against the lies and falsehoods out there.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
29 minutes ago
- New York Times
Fetterman Calls California Protests ‘Anarchy' as He Criticizes Democrats
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania warned fellow Democrats that they could face a political backlash if they were seen as failing to sufficiently condemn acts of violence by protesters in Southern California, which local officials have said were limited. On Monday, he posted a photo on social media of a car engulfed in flames and a masked, shirtless person waving a Mexican flag. He suggested that Democrats — many of whom have in fact criticized acts of destruction or violence — should go further in denouncing unruly demonstrations. 'This is anarchy and true chaos,' he wrote. 'My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement.' Local officials in California have described the violence as limited, under control and exacerbated by President Trump's decision to federalize the National Guard and deploy troops over the governor's objection. 'I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration — but this is not that,' Mr. Fetterman wrote. 'This is anarchy and true chaos.' Mr. Fetterman, elected in 2022, has become one of the Democrats whom Republicans love to quote as he has broken with some of his party's orthodoxies. He checked himself into a hospital for depression early in his first year in office, and his mental health has recently been the subject of both concern and scrutiny. Democrats on Capitol Hill tried to shrug off his latest comments on Tuesday. 'Everyone is entitled to their opinion,' said Representative Yvette D. Clarke of New York, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Some praise appeared to arrive, however, from Elon Musk, the owner of the social media site X, where Mr. Fetterman made his comment. Mr. Musk replied to the post with an American flag emoji.
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Will Trump invoke the Insurrection Act? 'We'll see,' he says
Will Trump invoke the Insurrection Act? 'We'll see,' he says Show Caption Hide Caption Anti-ICE raid demonstrators protest into fourth night Anti-immigration raid protests are continuing into the fourth night as the Pentagon deployed active-duty U.S. Marines. President Donald Trump mulled invoking the Insurrection Act, which would give him more leeway to use the military for domestic purposes, as he deploys troops to Los Angeles in response to protests prompted by ICE raids in the region. "If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it,' Trump said June 10 during an event in the White House. 'We'll see. But I can tell you, last night was terrible. The night before that was terrible." Trump deployed the California National Guard to Los Angeles over the objection of Gov. Gavin Newsom, sparking a lawsuit from the state. Marines were also sent to help the guard after protests erupted over his immigration enforcement efforts. The troops are limited to protecting federal property and law enforcement officers. The Insurrection Act would give Trump authority to use them more broadly. More: 'High-stakes game': Trump-Newsom clash pits two political heavyweights Trump said there were parts of Los Angeles on June 9 where "you could have called it an insurrection. It was terrible." Newsom described Trump's actions as "the acts of a dictator" and accused the president of 'inciting and provoking violence,' 'creating mass chaos,' and 'militarizing cities.' Legal experts say invoking the Insurrection Act is an extreme step. It has been done 30 times in U.S. history. "The invocation of it would be viewed as a pretty dramatic act," said Duke Law Professor H. Jefferson Powell. Powell said the law is "dangerously broad." The last time the Insurrection Act was invoked was in May 1992, by President George H.W. Bush at the request of California's governor, to quell rioting in Los Angeles after four White police officers were acquitted for beating Black motorist Rodney King.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What the 'Big, Beautiful' tax bill means for municipal bonds
JPMorgan raised its forecast for municipal bond sales in 2025 to $560 billion as US lawmakers deliberate over President Trump's "big, beautiful" tax and spending bill in the Senate. Goldman Sachs Asset Management co-head of municipal fixed income Sylvia Yeh weighs in on what policy changes to the US tax code could mean for municipal bond investors, as well as valuation catalysts in comparison to Treasury yields (^TYX, ^TNX, ^FVX). Goldman Sachs manages several municipal bond ETFs (GMUB, GCAL, GMNY, GUMI). To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Catalysts here. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
