California Governor Gavin Newsom and Eric Trump, the son of U.S. President Donald Trump, found themselves locked in a fiery online exchange this week.
It all began when Eric Trump promoted his new memoir, Under Siege: My Family’s Fight to Save Our Nation, on social media. In a short video, he stood inside a nearly empty bookstore in Florida, encouraging people to buy signed copies of his book. He described it as an honest look into life inside the Trump family.
Governor Newsom, who is known for his quick wit and bold comments online, couldn’t resist responding. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), his office wrote:
The Government is shut down, people are getting laid off, health care is becoming more expensive and the “ruling” family is out promoting their next grift. https://t.co/DZAKMpqBEo
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) October 14, 2025
The word “grift,” which means a dishonest money-making scheme, set off a storm. Eric Trump quickly fired back, calling Newsom’s comment “ironic” and bringing up an old controversy involving the governor.
Eric Trump Fires Back Hard
Eric Trump reminded everyone of a time during the COVID-19 pandemic when Newsom was seen dining at The French Laundry, a high-end restaurant in Napa Valley, even though he had told Californians to avoid large gatherings.
Eric wrote:
“Ironic coming from the government official eating at The French Laundry during the COVID shutdown in violation of his own health guidelines.”
That dinner, which took place in 2020, caused a public backlash against Newsom. The governor later apologized, admitting that attending the dinner had been “a bad mistake.”
The online spat didn’t end there. Soon after, President Donald Trump joined in the conversation. On Truth Social, he posted a picture of himself proudly holding Eric’s book, praising his son for his “phenomenal” work and urging followers to buy it.
Donald Trump wrote in his trademark all-caps style:
“Don’t forget to get a copy of my son Eric’s book, ‘UNDER SIEGE,’ which is breaking records everywhere!”
The post quickly went viral among Trump supporters, while critics accused the family of using politics to promote personal ventures.
Politics, Power, and Public Perception
This isn’t the first time Governor Newsom and the Trump family have clashed online. Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Newsom has become one of the most outspoken Democratic voices on social media, often using humor and sarcasm to challenge the administration.
Just a few days earlier, Newsom mocked an advertisement for $500 Trump Watches that aired on a conservative TV network. Mimicking Donald Trump’s style, Newsom posted:
“NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU BUT YOU MUST BUY MY WATCH!!”
He also criticized the president for spending weekends golfing during the government shutdown, writing that millions of Americans were struggling while leaders focused on luxury and publicity.
The latest argument came at a tense time. The U.S. government was partially shut down, leaving thousands of federal workers uncertain about their pay. Meanwhile, debates continued in Congress over whether to renew Obamacare subsidies, a key part of the national health care debate.
Governor Newsom, who has been positioning himself as a defender of working Americans, has repeatedly accused Republican leaders of neglecting everyday citizens in favor of personal gain. His team believes that the Trump family’s public promotion of products—whether books, watches, or business ventures—sends the wrong message during an economic crisis.
2025 has been a profitable year for the Trumps, despite political turmoil. According to reports, the family’s net worth skyrocketed after the public launch of their cryptocurrency project earlier this year, bringing in an estimated $5 billion in value. Critics argue that this pattern of leveraging political influence for private wealth reinforces the “grift” image that opponents like Newsom highlight.
However, Eric Trump has repeatedly defended his family’s ventures, saying they are legitimate businesses and part of their right to build a legacy. Supporters of the president also see Newsom’s attacks as politically motivated, especially as the California governor continues to rise as a key Democratic figure on the national stage.
Both sides appear to be using social media not just to debate policies but to shape public opinion ahead of upcoming elections. The verbal sparring, while entertaining to some, reflects the deep divisions in American politics today—where tweets, posts, and viral videos can carry more impact than press conferences or policy debates.
As the shutdown continues and tempers flare online, it’s clear that the battle between Gavin Newsom and the Trump family is far from over. What started as a simple book promotion has turned into a larger fight over image, influence, and the fine line between politics and personal profit.
