Vance Responds To Newsom’s Social Media Post
California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly criticized Vice President JD Vance on Saturday after photos emerged of Vance and his family visiting Disneyland. Newsom’s comment, posted on social media, referenced recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, suggesting that Vance was complicit in separating families.
“Hope you enjoy your family time, @JDVance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t,” Newsom wrote in response to an image of the vice president walking through Disneyland’s “Bayou Country” with his family.
Hope you enjoy your family time, @JDVance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t. https://t.co/GjvIUg8I2B
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) July 12, 2025
The remark drew immediate backlash. Critics were quick to highlight what they view as hypocrisy, pointing to California policies that allow courts to remove children from parental custody if parents do not affirm a child’s declared gender identity. Detransitioner and activist Chloe Cole responded, stating, “In California it is completely legal for child protective services to tear a family apart if they don’t believe their child is transgender. I’ve met families that have had this happen.”
In California it is completely legal for child protective services to tear a family apart if they don’t believe their child is transgender.
I’ve met families that have had this happen. https://t.co/dlHxHCgM8y
— Chloe Cole ⭐️ (@ChoooCole) July 13, 2025
Conservative commentator Aaron Walker also weighed in, referencing a California law signed by Newsom that allows out-of-state minors seeking gender transition procedures to do so without parental consent. “You don’t care about tearing families apart. You’re perfectly fine with it for the ‘right’ cause,” Walker posted.
Your state takes children away from their parents if they refuse to buy into transgender madness
You actually have a law on the books that you signed, that says that if a child in another state wants surgery that will sterilize that child, and the parents object, that all they… https://t.co/ykr5UFFItY
— (((Aaron Walker))) (@AaronWorthing) July 13, 2025
Fox Business anchor David Asman echoed the criticism, recalling Newsom’s well-documented violation of COVID-19 protocols during a dinner at the exclusive French Laundry restaurant. “Newsom’s petty hypocrisy knows no bounds,” Asman wrote.
The governor who violated his own rules about eating out during the pandemic by feasting at the “French Laundry” lectures the VP about a perfectly lawful visit to Disneyland. Newsom’s petty hypocrisy knows no bounds. https://t.co/3iP566dTNV
— David Asman (@DavidAsmanfox) July 13, 2025
Legal experts noted that ICE detentions are standard legal procedures when individuals violate U.S. immigration laws, and that temporary family separation is not unique to any single administration. “Every person who breaks America’s laws are separated from their families while detained. Some for hours, some for days, some for decades,” one commentator noted. “The onus is on the lawbreakers.”
Every person who breaks Americas laws are separated from there families while detained. Some for hours, some for days, some for decades. The onus is on the lawbreakers not law abiding citizens going about their day. https://t.co/kpKqw8AHEg
— Rob O’Donnell (@odonnell_r) July 13, 2025
Vice President Vance chose not to engage in the controversy, offering only a brief response: “Had a great time, thanks.”
Had a great time, thanks https://t.co/dKKA76mqhd
— JD Vance (@JDVance) July 13, 2025