California Governor Gavin Newsom faced swift backlash this week after attempting to imitate President Donald Trump’s social media style with an all-caps post on X that quickly drew criticism from residents, commentators, and actor Spencer Pratt, who lost his home in this year’s devastating Pacific Palisades fire.
Newsom’s post, written in all capital letters, linked to a site selling red hats modeled after Trump’s signature campaign merchandise.
The hats bore the phrase, “Newsom was right about everything.”
The governor’s post read:
“I’M REALLY GOOD AT PREDICTING THINGS. DURING THE CAMPAIGN THEY HAD A HAT — A BEST SELLING HAT — ‘NEWSOM WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING.’ AND I DON’T SAY THAT IN A BRAGGADOCIOS WAY, BUT IT’S TRUE. I’VE BEEN RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING.”
I’M REALLY GOOD AT PREDICTING THINGS. DURING THE CAMPAIGN THEY HAD A HAT — A BEST SELLING HAT — “NEWSOM WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING.” AND I DON’T SAY THAT IN A BRAGGADOCIOS WAY, BUT IT’S TRUE. I’VE BEEN RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING.https://t.co/R3T2MwI5JU pic.twitter.com/bZEnEd1HWo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 23, 2025
The response from Pratt, a star of The Hills and a resident of the Palisades, was pointed.
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Referring to the recent Palisades and Altadena fires, which killed 30 people earlier this year, Pratt wrote, “So you’re saying you meant to burn 12 senior citizens alive with your criminal negligence?”
so you’re saying you meant to burn 12 senior citizens alive with your criminal negligence? https://t.co/3Z9lIL2WDB
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) September 23, 2025
Other social media users joined in, highlighting broader concerns about the state’s challenges under Newsom’s leadership.
One user asked, “Was he right about the water supply? Or the homeless problem? Or the CA budget? [GOOD] LORD people need to wake up to his failures.”
Was he right about the water supply? Or the homeless problem? Or the CA budget? GOOG LORD people need to wake up to his failures
— Nicoletta (@Nicprehn) September 23, 2025
Another user, posting as A Dogs LIFE, wrote: “Hey Newsome [sic], your flawless streak of being right about everything must be absolutely draining! Solved the homeless crisis yet, or too busy jacking up taxes and gas prices to the stratosphere? Lockdowns nailed, surplus turned deficit like magic, and that missing fire fund money, poof! Care to share your divine genius with us mortals?”
Hey Newsome, your flawless streak of being right about everything must be absolutely draining! 🙄 Solved the homeless crisis yet, or too busy jacking up taxes and gas prices to the stratosphere? Lockdowns nailed, surplus turned deficit like magic, and that missing fire fund…
— A Dogs Life (@K9Dirk) September 23, 2025
User BKactual listed a series of grievances, saying: “Lol. You certainly weren’t right about refinery closures. Or illegal alien health care. Or vagrants. Or the stupid high-speed rail. Or fire prevention. Or COVID response.”
Lol. You certainly weren’t right about refinery closures. Or illegal alien health care. Or vagrants. Or the stupid high speed rail. Or fire prevention. Or covid response.
— BKactual (@BravoKiloActual) September 23, 2025
Another user, Sherri, wrote: “Newsom is so right that he’s turned CA into a sh*tshow! We can’t afford insurance (if we can even get it). We all know someone who has lost a home to CA wildfires. We dread hot days because we don’t know if our power will stay on. Our electric, gas, license fees, registrations, and tolls keep increasing. And any check of Nextdoor will have even the liberals complaining about crime in the suburbs.”
Newsom is so right that he’s turned CA into a sh*tshow! We can’t afford insurance (if we can even get it). We all know someone who has lost a home to CA wildfires. We dread hot days because we don’t know if our power will stay on. Our electric, gas, license fees, registrations…
— Sherri (@SociallySherri) September 23, 2025
The criticism showcased theongoing frustrations with the state’s handling of multiple crises, including homelessness, energy costs, crime, and wildfire preparedness.
The Palisades and Altadena fires remain a central focus of public anger.
Families of victims and residents in affected communities have accused the state of failing to prioritize prevention measures despite repeated warnings about the risks.
Newsom’s attempt to mirror President Trump’s social media approach instead spotlighted grievances over his record.
While the governor promoted merchandise declaring he was “right about everything,” the responses from residents and fire victims reflected widespread dissatisfaction with how California has managed natural disasters, economic challenges, and public safety concerns.
Pratt’s comments, amplified by thousands of shares and reactions, brought renewed attention to the impact of the fires and the decisions made before them.
The actor’s remarks aligned with broader frustrations expressed by Californians dealing with rising costs, housing instability, and ongoing risks from wildfires.
The backlash highlights the risks for Newsom in adopting a combative style online, particularly when critics point to measurable outcomes in areas like wildfire prevention, energy reliability, and state budgeting.
For many Californians responding to his post, the claims of being “right about everything” were seen less as a political slogan and more as a reminder of ongoing crises facing the state.