Izzy Gardon, more than any other aide, is suddenly becoming a focal point of the attention — and backlash.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Izzy Gardon isn’t just Gavin Newsom’s chief defender on social media. Increasingly, he is becoming the headline himself.
As Newsom’s spokesperson, Gardon is one of the comms staffers behind the governor’s strategy to counteract Donald Trump’s second presidency by embracing a combative tone and a trolling online presence. But Gardon, more than any other aide, is suddenly becoming a focal point of the attention — and backlash.
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Gardon referred to rapper and MAGA activist Nicki Minaj as a “stupid hoe” on X. He reveled in mocking conservative influencer Laura Loomer online after she called him a “FAG,” replying, “I’ve never been more proud!” And this week, Gardon sent an email telling conservative author Susan Crabtree to “Respectfully, fuck off.”
The emergence of Gardon as a prominent character is a result of Newsom’s anti-Trump strategy, a “fight fire with fire” approach designed to undermine the president through imitation, using outlandish memes, hyperbole and AI-generated images. Newsom’s aides have pointed to his rising favorability ratings as evidence of its effectiveness.
“That ethos is how we’re fighting Trump and feeds into the engine of how we’re fighting Trump in these appalling times,” Bob Salladay, Newsom’s senior comms adviser and Gardon’s boss, told Playbook. “Izzy’s creativity and imagination is part of what the governor is doing.”
But Gardon’s bombastic new persona has also provided fodder for Newsom’s critics on the right (and even some Democrats), who’ve questioned his tone and the appropriateness of a government worker making such posts in an official capacity.
“Most unprofessional person to ever work in politics,” Garry Tan, CEO of Y Combinator and Democratic megadonor, posted on X. “Izzy Gardon brings shame to the Newsom campaign.”
Multiple Newsom advisers told Playbook that Gardon’s moxie is no rogue act, but reflects the governor’s exasperation with the political speech normalized by Trump, who’s often used crude language to talk about women, immigrants and other groups.
“If the way to shine a light on Donald Trump’s destructive agenda is to say ‘fuck,’ then fuck yeah,” quipped Jason Elliott, a political adviser to Newsom and his former deputy chief of staff.
As the house of cards collapses. As the multi year Billion deficits are front and center.
As the likes of Weenie, Lemon, and the rest are being exposed. ATTACK…ATTACK,…..ATTACK.
The golden bailoutss of COVID ARE OVER.
FROM THE MEXICAN BORDER TO THE RUSSIAN RIVER THE STATE IS BROKE.
The Socialist game plan that depended on more FEDERAL MONEY HAS DISAPPEARED.
KEEP ON BUILDING THE E-V CHARGING STATIONS AS THE COST OF ENERGY IS EXPLODING OUT THE ROOF.
SLICK and his gang promote AI CENTERS and then cannot produce enough energy to cover their use so it goes back on the taxpayers to foot the bill.
Solar and wind cannot cover the demand. But wait the RADICAL SOCIALISTS IN SACRAMENTO said not a problem ….. now it is a problem…….and YOU WHO VOTED FOR THEM EXPECT THE REST OF US TO PAY YOUR BAR TAB.
Arrogance…look in the mirror ……time to leave the State.
GET YOUR POPCORN!
With VP Vance focusing on fraud in California, we should be hearing Newsom’s name even more than usual.
Yo Newscum – your uneducated and illiterate aides can’t read the American people, let alone, the TRUE CA citizens!!! We are tired of you and your bull, we don’t believe your lies, AND even your darling dimwits are growing a brain – and now THEY also HATE YOU!!!! AS for me – I’ve watched you do sooooo many illegal and unethical and INHUMANE crap in your time as the supposed governor. In reality – you are a total disaster – and you have NO business being the leader of CA, let alone the USA!!!! I, personally, am telling any and all that will listen what a stupid idiotic joke you are!!!! You will NOT rise any higher – you are higher than shit should rise in the first place!!!!