Newsom reveals joke ‘unhinged’ Trump made before sending troops to anti-ICE protests in L.A.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that President Donald Trump was making jokes with him over the phone before the president launched a military response to anti-ICE protests in California.

Against Newsom’s wishes, Trump federalized the National Guard in California in response to the protests in Los Angeles. U.S. Marine troops were also sent in.

In an interview with MeidasTouch News, Newsom revealed that in a phone call just before the military response was launched, Trump joked about the nickname he has given Newsom.

“A day before he was to federalize the National Guard here in Los Angeles, he called me,” Newsom said. “We talked on a Friday night late at night and all he wanted to brag about the ‘Newscum’ thing. He said, ‘It’s pretty funny, isn’t it?’ He goes, ‘Pretty original.’ I said, ‘Well, it’s not original.’”

Newsom went on: “He goes, ‘Hey, what about my hats? What do you think? It’s pretty good brand, right? MAGA, you know, it’s pretty good. I’ve sold hundreds of thousands.’”

Newsom said he was left dumfounded by the exchange, the Daily Mail reported.

“I mean, I’m like, are you serious?” the governor said. “Are we seriously having this conversation when you’re supposed to be reading me the riot act about keeping people safe in Los Angeles? You never once talked about the National Guard.”

Newsom called the president “unhinged” and claimed that Trump “is getting weaker” because of the effect his tariffs are having on the U.S. economy.

“You cannot make this stuff up,” Newsom said, adding that Trump then went on to talk about his debate with Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election.