Newsom Appears to Endorse Physical Violence Against Trump Supporters in Podcast Rant
California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing fierce backlash after appearing to endorse physical violence against supporters of former President Donald Trump during a heated podcast discussion this week.
The comments, which surfaced Thursday, came as Newsom railed against Texas Republicans for pushing through a sweeping redistricting plan expected to hand the GOP as many as five new congressional seats.
“We’re Gonna Punch These SOBs in the Mouth”
Speaking on The Siren podcast, Newsom unleashed an expletive-laden rant:
“This is radical rigging of a midterm election—destroying, vandalizing this democracy, the rule of law,” Newsom said.
“I respect people’s sensibilities. But right now, we’re walking down a damn different path. We’re fighting fire with fire, and we’re gonna punch these sons of b**es in the mouth.”
While it’s unclear whether the governor meant his comments literally or figuratively, the language has alarmed critics who say Democrats are normalizing political violence after years of accusing Republicans of the same.
A clip of the exchange quickly went viral on X, with conservatives accusing Newsom of incitement.
Why Newsom Is Angry: Texas Redistricting Explained
The controversy erupted after Texas lawmakers approved a highly contested congressional map that could cement Republican dominance in the state for the next decade.
Dubbed the “Big Beautiful Map” by the Texas House GOP Caucus, the plan adds up to five new Republican seats, boosting the party’s representation to as many as 30 of the state’s 38 congressional districts.
Republicans celebrated the move as a major win for their legislative strategy ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers into a second special session to finalize the plan after Democrats fled the state earlier this year in an attempt to block a quorum and stall the process.
“The Big Beautiful Map will ADD 5 GOP districts to our congressional delegation – A HUGE WIN for the conservative movement in Texas!” the GOP caucus wrote triumphantly on X.
Democrats Cry Foul—And Threaten to Retaliate
Newsom, along with other top Democrats, has accused Republicans of racial gerrymandering and minority voter suppression. Civil rights groups are already preparing lawsuits to challenge the map in federal court.
“We’re already drafting the complaint,” one Democratic strategist told reporters.
But Newsom went beyond legal threats. His “punch in the mouth” comment has drawn criticism even from moderates, who worry the rhetoric could fuel real-world violence in an already polarized climate.
“Imagine if a Republican governor said this about Democrats,” said Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Texas). “The media would be in meltdown mode.”
National Redistricting Arms Race
The Texas map is part of a broader redistricting war playing out nationwide. Democrats in Illinois and New York are exploring similar moves to protect their congressional advantages, while GOP lawmakers in Florida, Indiana, and Missouri are weighing plans to tilt their maps further right.
But blue states face a unique challenge: Many of their maps are already heavily gerrymandered, leaving little room for new districts without significant legal risk.
Newsom himself has hinted that California could take “extraordinary measures” to blunt Texas’ move—though legal experts say the state has limited options given its independent redistricting commission and declining population.
Double Standards?
Critics argue that Democrats’ outrage over Texas rings hollow when their own party engages in similar tactics.
“Texas Democrats want to cry foul while cheering gerrymanders in their backyard,” Harrison said. “It’s pure double standards.”
The governor’s violent rhetoric, however, may prove harder to defend. While Newsom’s allies insist he was speaking metaphorically, Republicans say the words matter—especially after years of lectures from Democrats about the dangers of political extremism.
The Political Fallout
For Newsom, the comments come at a delicate moment. Once considered a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, he now faces mounting scrutiny over crime, homelessness, and outmigration in California.
His fiery remarks could energize the progressive base, but they also risk alienating moderates—and reinforcing GOP claims that Democrats condone political violence when it suits their agenda.
As one conservative strategist put it:
“Democrats spent four years calling Trump a threa
t to democracy. Now Newsom is on a podcast saying he wants to punch his opponents in the mouth. It’s hypocrisy on steroids.”
