California Gov. Gavin Newsom has sparked controversy by spreading unverified claims about Vice President JD Vance's upcoming visit to Camp Pendleton this Saturday.
As reported by Breitbart News, Newsom falsely stated that a Marine Corps capabilities demonstration would close portions of the I-5 highway and wrongly suggested that U.S. troops would go unpaid during a government shutdown forced by Democrats.
This attempt to tarnish Vance's visit, which includes a celebration of the Marine Corps’ upcoming 250th birthday on Del Mar Beach, seems more like a political stunt than a genuine concern for Californians.
Relying on an anonymously sourced piece from the far-left outlet MeidasTouch, Newsom and his press office jumped to amplify claims of highway closures and chaos tied to Vance’s visit. Their X account labeled the event an “absurd show of force,” ignoring facts in favor of a narrative.
Newsom himself doubled down, writing, “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military.” Such rhetoric falls flat when the Marine Corps itself has confirmed no highways will be closed.
This rush to judgment reveals a troubling willingness to prioritize partisan jabs over the truth, especially when our military’s readiness and honor are on display.
The Marine Corps swiftly issued a press release to counter Newsom’s claims, affirming that Saturday’s land, air, and sea demonstration would occur on approved training ranges with no impact on public highways. They emphasized, “No public highways or transportation routes will be closed,” directly debunking the governor’s narrative.
Further, the Corps highlighted the event’s purpose, stating, “The force training activities planned ensure our readiness to defend the Homeland and protect our Nation’s interests abroad against emergent and unprecedented challenges.” It’s a shame that such a clear statement of mission gets drowned out by political noise.
Instead of celebrating this display of strength and preparation, Newsom’s team seems more interested in manufacturing outrage than supporting the troops who protect us.
On the issue of troop pay, Newsom’s claim that the administration is neglecting soldiers during the Democrat-led shutdown also crumbles under scrutiny. President Trump directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to ensure troops and federal law enforcement continue to receive their pay, a fact confirmed by the White House Office of Management and Budget well before Newsom’s accusations surfaced.
This proactive step shows a commitment to our military that contradicts the governor’s fearmongering. Why Newsom chose to ignore this reality in favor of a falsehood is a question worth asking.
Vance’s press secretary, Taylor Van Kirk, didn’t hold back, stating, “Governor Newsom is deliberately spreading Fake News to Californians to fearmonger and score cheap political points.” Her words cut to the core of a strategy that seems more about headlines than honor.
Saturday’s event at Camp Pendleton should be a moment to rally behind the Marine Corps as they approach a historic milestone. Instead, Newsom’s baseless claims risk turning a celebration of service into a political circus.
Vice President Vance is set to join Marines in marking this occasion, a gesture of respect that deserves recognition, not distortion. It’s disappointing to see a governor so eager to sow division when unity around our military should be the priority.
Perhaps it’s time for Newsom to step back from the social media echo chamber and focus on facts over fiction. Californians, and our troops, deserve better than recycled rumors masquerading as leadership.