Full Breakdown
Gavin Newsom's Political Jabs at Donald Trump and JD Vance
4/15/2026, 3:20:28 AM
Mocking Trump's Stunts
California Governor Gavin Newsom has recently targeted President Donald Trump over two notable incidents: Trump's DoorDash publicity stunt and his controversial AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ. During a press event, Trump was greeted by a DoorDash driver, Sharon Simmons, while promoting his policy to eliminate taxes on tipped wages. Newsom's press office seized the opportunity to mock Trump, highlighting that as a convicted felon, he would likely be ineligible to work as a delivery driver for services like DoorDash. They quipped, “Donald Trump — a convicted felon who has also been found liable for sexual abuse — is ineligible to be a delivery driver on most apps. But somehow he’s our president.”
The AI Jesus Controversy
In a separate incident, Trump faced backlash after posting an AI-generated image of himself resembling Jesus, which he later deleted. When questioned about the post, Trump claimed it was meant to depict him as a doctor, referencing a Red Cross worker in the image. Newsom's office challenged this explanation, posting a side-by-side comparison of Trump's image with traditional depictions of Jesus, questioning, “Does this look like a ‘Red Cross worker’ to you?” Newsom also revived his “Dementia Don” label, suggesting that Trump's mental acuity is in question as he approaches his 80th birthday.
Criticism of JD Vance
Newsom's critiques extend beyond Trump to Vice President JD Vance, particularly following Vance's failed negotiations with Iran in Islamabad. Despite being sent by Trump to secure a deal, Vance left without an agreement, citing Iran's refusal to abandon its nuclear program. Iran, however, claimed that the U.S. delegation failed to gain their trust. Following this setback, Newsom labeled Vance a “lightweight,” stating, “JD Vance proves he’s a lightweight twice in 48 hours.” He also congratulated the Hungarian opposition for their electoral victory over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, suggesting that Vance's campaigning may have negatively impacted Orbán's support.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the DoorDash incident, Newsom's press office emphasized the irony of Trump's situation as a convicted felon. Regarding the AI image, they stated, “Trump may have deleted his post, but we will not be deleting ours!” This reflects a broader strategy by Newsom to position himself as a strong contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination while highlighting perceived failures within the Republican leadership.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Newsom's criticisms of Trump and Vance are clear, the responses from Trump and Vance's offices have been less direct. Trump has not publicly addressed Newsom's jabs regarding his eligibility for delivery work, nor has he commented extensively on the AI image controversy since its deletion. Vance's office has not provided a detailed response to Newsom's criticisms following the failed negotiations with Iran.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Donald Trump — a convicted felon who has also been found liable for sexual abuse — is ineligible to be a delivery driver on most apps,” — Gavin Newsom's Press Office
- “Does this look like a ‘Red Cross worker’ to you?” — Gavin Newsom's Press Office
- “JD Vance proves he’s a lightweight twice in 48 hours.” — Gavin Newsom
As Newsom continues to leverage these incidents to bolster his political profile, the dynamics between him, Trump, and Vance illustrate the ongoing tensions within American politics as the 2028 election approaches.