Newsom Uses AI Art to Criticize Trumps Lavish Trip

California Governor Gavin Newsom has once again taken aim at President Donald Trump, this time using a provocative AI-generated image to criticize the president's trip to his Mar-a-Lago resort. The jab comes at a tense time, with a government shutdown impacting federal services and the future of SNAP food benefits remaining uncertain.

Newsom's "Marie Antoinette" Jab at Trump

On Friday, Governor Newsom launched a sharp critique of Trump through a series of posts on X. He accused the president of attempting to block food aid and bluntly stated that Trump “DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU.”

Newsom's press office amplified the message, alleging that the Trump administration was “fighting tooth and nail to starve children.” The criticism was punctuated by an AI-generated image depicting Trump styled as the 18th-century French queen, Marie Antoinette. This image, previously used by Newsom, serves as a powerful symbol of out-of-touch luxury in the face of public hardship. The press office’s caption for the image was a direct and sarcastic taunt: “GOOD NIGHT, PEASANTS!”

A Lavish Trip Amid National Turmoil

President Trump arrived at his Mar-a-Lago club on Friday for what marks his 13th visit to the resort during his second term. This trip occurs amid the longest government shutdown in history, a situation that has caused significant travel disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration has been forced to reduce flights at major airports due to the shutdown's impact on staffing.

The Battle Over Food Aid

Adding to the national tension, the Supreme Court on Friday night temporarily blocked a lower court's order that would have required the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This legal maneuver followed a weeklong lapse in funding, the first in the program’s 61-year history, and came after a federal appeals court had rejected the administration's request for a delay.

The Symbolism of "Let Them Eat Cake"

This is not the first time Newsom's office has deployed the Marie Antoinette caricature. In October, the image was used to criticize reports that construction on a new White House ballroom was proceeding even as multiple federal agencies were closed due to a budget stalemate. At the time, the governor's press office posted, “TRUMP ‘MARIE ANTOINETTE’ SAYS, ‘NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU PEASANTS, BUT A BALLROOM FOR THE QUEEN!’”

The historical reference is to the French queen who, according to legend, responded to news that peasants had no bread by saying, “Let them eat cake.” The quote is often used to illustrate a profound disconnect between the ruling class and the struggles of ordinary people.