California Gov. Gavin Newsom fired back at Sen. Ted Cruz with an AI-generated photo mocking the Texas Republican’s support of Chevron.
The feud started with Cruz, who went after California’s gas prices on X and blamed the state’s energy policies rather than big oil companies for what drivers pay at the pump.
“Just filled my tank. In Texas, gas is $3.99 a gallon. Hey Gavin — the problem isn’t Chevron, it’s California’s stupid energy policies,” the senator wrote.
‘Chevron’s good boy’
Newsom, who has been on an AI posting spree, responded with a fake image of Cruz as a literal lapdog for the oil company. “Chevron Cruz is a good boy,” he wrote on X.
The image features the senator with a tail, a dog tag with his name, sacks of money labeled “campaign donations” and a plaque reading “Chevron’s Good Boy.”
Newsom vs. Chevron
Over the past several weeks, Newsom has been putting pressure on Chevron over the company’s gas prices. The governor’s office went so far as to urge drivers to boycott Chevron’s stations over Memorial Day weekend.
“Pro tip: unbranded gas comes from the same refineries, storage tanks, and pipelines, and it meets the same state standards to keep your engine running clean,” Newsom’s office posted on X. “Big Oil is already making billions off Trump’s Iran War; don’t let them rip you off even more by overpaying for the brand name.”
California’s gas price problem
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office urged drivers to boycott Chevron’s stations over Memorial Day weekend. By: ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA
State data backs up the claim, according to a spokesperson for the governor, who pointed to a Division of Petroleum Market Oversight analysis presented to the state assembly.
“Chevron averaged more than 60 to 80 cents per gallon above unbranded alternatives,” a spokesperson told The California Post.
California’s gas prices are already among the highest in the country. As of Wednesday, May 27, Americans are paying an average of $4.459 per gallon, according to AAA. California drivers are paying nearly $1.64 more, averaging $6.094 a gallon.