California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is under fire after his press office used a popular LGBT dating app as part of a social media attack against a conservative commentator, drawing accusations of hypocrisy and offensive rhetoric.
The controversy erupted after the governor’s official press account responded to a post from commentator Benny Johnson, who had been highlighting allegations of fraud in California.
In response, Newsom’s team wrote, “We got a call from Grindr after this and said your team was their biggest users. Congrats!”
The remark quickly sparked backlash across social media, with critics calling it inappropriate and offensive.
The exchange was part of a pattern.
Newsom’s press office has previously referenced the app in similar exchanges, including remarks such as, “We’ll make sure Grindr servers are ready…” and “bro, we get it but he’s not interested… stick to Grindr.”
The repeated use of the app as a punchline has fueled criticism that the messaging crosses a line, particularly given the governor’s long-standing public support for LGBT rights.
Critics from across the political spectrum condemned the remarks, arguing they rely on stereotypes.
Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department, wrote on X: “It’s so odd to see the former mayor of the most gay-friendly city in America, San Francisco, use homosexuality as a slur. Weird!”
One LGBT advocate commented, “I don’t know why a lot of dems over the past 48 hours are leaning into 90s anti-gay s**t.”
Others echoed similar concerns, with some social media users labeling the comments as openly homophobic.
Despite the backlash, Newsom’s office doubled down in its response to Fox News.
“We love gay people and it’s very woke of you to ask about this!” a spokesperson told the outlet. “We’re sorry some conservative snowflakes had their feelings hurt. We hope they recover!”
The statement further intensified the controversy, with opponents arguing it failed to address the underlying concerns.
Johnson fired back directly, accusing the governor of attempting to deflect from more serious issues facing the state.
“Your reaction to journalists exposing fraud in your state is to smear us with lies — never to fix the fraud,” Johnson wrote.
He added, “Americans hate fraud, Gavin. We’re tired of being ripped off. Stop attacking the people who are doing YOUR job and trying to end fraud. People are over it.”
The social media clash comes as lawmakers continue examining allegations of widespread hospice fraud in California.
House Republicans have launched an investigation into the issue, which has drawn increasing national attention and scrutiny toward state leadership.
Newsweek noted that Johnson has previously claimed to have received “over 1,000 tips” related to fraud, further fueling the debate.
The episode has also reignited broader discussions about Newsom’s political ambitions and communication strategy.
Widely viewed as a potential contender in the 2028 presidential race, the governor has used social media to build his national profile, often engaging critics directly.
However, recent posts have drawn increasing criticism, with some observers arguing the tone may alienate voters.
The latest controversy also follows recent backlash over remarks Newsom made about his SAT score during an event in Atlanta to a black audience, which critics described as racially insensitive.
Supporters and critics alike have pointed to the contrast between the governor’s advocacy for LGBT rights and the language used by his press office.
The backlash highlights growing scrutiny over how public officials use social media, particularly as political tensions remain high and attention intensifies.
