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Newsom's Meme Sparks Outrage: Petty or Powerful?

9/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

California Governor Gavin Newsom's press office shared a Labor Day meme comparing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to Effie Trinket from 'The Hunger Games.'
The meme faced backlash online, with some users calling it petty and racist.
Newsom has increased his social media criticism of the Trump administration, using pop culture references.
He also launched a website selling MAGA-themed products to further mock Trump.

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Story summary

California Governor Gavin Newsom's press office shared a Labor Day meme comparing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to Effie Trinket from 'The Hunger Games.'
The meme faced backlash online, with some users calling it petty and racist.
Newsom has increased his social media criticism of the Trump administration, using pop culture references.
He also launched a website selling MAGA-themed products to further mock Trump.