California Governor Gavin Newsom Takes Aim at Trump's Appearance During State of the Union
In a theatrical display of political trolling, California Governor Gavin Newsom targeted President Donald Trump's hair with a sarcastic social media post during Tuesday's State of the Union address. The Democratic governor, 58, posted on X expressing mock horror at the disheveled appearance of the 79-year-old president's signature hairstyle.
A Hair-Raising Social Media Exchange
"Oh no, Donald," Newsom wrote in his February 24, 2026 post. "You need some of my hair gel!!!" The jab came as Newsom appeared to watch the presidential address from the House chamber while simultaneously engaging in online criticism of the commander in chief. This incident represents the latest chapter in Newsom's ongoing social media campaign against Trump, where he has frequently mocked both the president's brash communication style and physical appearance.
White House Delivers Fiery Response
The White House responded aggressively to Newsom's provocation, though not directly addressing the hair comment. In a statement to The Daily Beast, White House officials demanded that Newsom "shut his filthy mouth and apologize to Black people for demeaning them earlier this week." This reference points to accusations of racism and bigotry leveled against Newsom following comments he made Sunday about his low SAT scores during a conversation with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens while promoting his new book.
Both Newsom and Dickens have pushed back against these allegations, with Newsom dismissing the complaints as "fake fucking outrage." The White House statement continued its criticism of the California governor, suggesting he should be "more concerned about his own appearance — which quite frankly many people have serious questions about — instead of talking about others."
Newsom's Strategy of Confrontation
When questioned about his persistent social media targeting of Trump, Newsom explained to NPR that he's "putting a mirror up to President Trump" and "fighting fire with fire." The governor elaborated on his approach, stating "I am punching a bully back in the mouth," indicating his deliberate strategy of direct confrontation rather than diplomatic engagement.
Trump's Long History of Hair Discourse
President Trump has repeatedly drawn attention to his hair over the years, creating an ongoing public conversation about his appearance. The president has consistently sworn that his hair is completely natural and not a wig, even detailing his meticulous hair care regimen and specific combing techniques. In October 2025, Trump publicly reprimanded Time magazine for their cover photo that he claimed made his hair "disappear," calling the publication's choice "really weird" in a Truth Social post.
The White House has not responded to HuffPost's requests for comment regarding Newsom's latest social media provocation, and President Trump has not appeared to address the California governor's jab publicly. This exchange highlights the increasingly personal nature of political discourse between prominent Democratic figures and the Trump administration as the 2026 political landscape continues to evolve.
