California taxpayers are spending at least 2.6 million dollars a year on Governor Gavin Newsom’s communications team — including employees producing social media memes, videos and attacks on Republicans.
That’s according to a new CalMatters investigation.
Newsom has 24 taxpayer-funded communications employees, double the number he had in 2020.
Among them, a photographer earning 212 thousand dollars a year, four digital content specialists, and two employees dedicated to what the governor calls rapid response.
And it’s not just promoting California policies.
The governor’s official accounts have published AI-generated memes mocking President Trump, attacked Republican lawmakers, and demanded corrections from journalists.
The office says it has requested 453 media corrections since 2024.
Republican strategist Rob Stutzman says Newsom has blurred ethical lines by using his government office like a political operation.
Newsom’s communications director defends the spending, saying the staff explains state policies, answers reporters’ questions and counters misinformation.
But there’s another twist.
CalMatters reports Newsom rarely takes questions from Sacramento reporters, even as his taxpayer-funded media operation continues expanding.
And with Newsom considering a presidential run in 2028, the question is where official government communications end — and political promotion begins.
