Gavin Newsom Blistered Over Fact-Check Gone Wrong: ‘This Video Is From 2020’

Even though he was technically correct, Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) latest attempt to fact-check conservatives — over a protest video that circulated via X — went sideways in a hurry.

The video in question was shared by a number of accounts and showed protesters surrounding several LAPD vehicles that had been damaged and set on fire.

???? CHAOS! Los Angeles now looking like a collapsing third world country under Mayor Bass and Governor Newscum’s lack of leadership.

???? Absolute MADNESS. pic.twitter.com/3RdvrszCfk

— Jay Merz ???????? (@OopsYouMissed) June 8, 2025

Community notes clarified that the video was not from the recent confrontations between violent protesters and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Rather, it was from the violent riots that took place in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in May of 2020.

Both Newsom himself and his press office quickly capitalized on the error, responding to multiple accounts that shared the video and saying, “This video is from 2020,” or “FACT CHECK: This video is not from this year. Misinformation like this only adds to the chaos the Trump Administration is seeking. Check your sources before sharing info!”

❌FACT CHECK: This video is not from this year.

Misinformation like this only adds to the chaos the Trump Administration is seeking.

Check your sources before sharing info! https://t.co/1dqJ1K3xI5

— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) June 8, 2025

And even though Newsom was correct regarding the origin of that particular video, critics quickly pointed out the fact that there were plenty of current videos — many depicting similar carnage on the streets of Los Angeles — to go around.

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This video is from 2025. pic.twitter.com/W0ijR8TFSo https://t.co/5G7ysK4z6o

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 9, 2025

This isn’t… https://t.co/6XnIlhDIaU pic.twitter.com/giyG1KFxCB

— Robert Greenway (@RC_Greenway) June 9, 2025

How about this one Gavin? https://t.co/z96KwJcgkB pic.twitter.com/vZUOnHHLWM

— sikmedia.algo (@sik_media87) June 9, 2025

???? #BREAKING: Rioters have SET FIRE to a California Highway Patrol vehicle while officers are trapped under an overpass

WHAT YEAR IS THIS FROM, @GavinNewsom?

YOU’RE A FAILURE! https://t.co/Qg6AbBJE2F pic.twitter.com/kJCSJRZ3qK

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2025

Others pointed out the fact that Newsom had failed to contain the riots in his state in 2020 and was once again failing to do so.

“‘Five years later this place is still on fire’ may not be the campaign slogan you’re looking for, tho?” Emily Zanotti posted.

“Five years later this place is still on fire” may not be the campaign slogan you’re looking for, tho? https://t.co/ZyTANTjkeO

— Emily Zanotti ???? (@emzanotti) June 9, 2025

“Are you trying to imply that LA isn’t currently a hellscape?” Jillian Michaels asked.

. @GavinNewsom are you trying to imply that LA isn’t currently a hellscape? https://t.co/Z6b6MVHaUG

— Jillian Michaels (@JillianMichaels) June 9, 2025

“Yeah, you’ve been good at destroying this state for half a decade. Thanks for taking the bait,” actor James Woods said.

Yeah, you’ve been good at destroying this state for half a decade. Thanks for taking the bait. https://t.co/iULfqn0UbP

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) June 9, 2025

“This video is from a different horrific failure of mine,” John Ekdahl added.

“This video is from a different horrific failure of mine.” https://t.co/aTZkDoVmZf

— John Ekdahl (@JohnEkdahl) June 9, 2025

“Who was Governor of California in 2020?” Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) asked.

Who was Governor of California in 2020? https://t.co/v9VOPnBNwX

— Team Cruz (@TeamTedCruz) June 9, 2025

“I also allowed rioters to burn police cars and assault cops in 2020!’ is not the own you think it is,” Libs of TikTok posted.

“I also allowed rioters to burn police cars and assault cops in 2020!” is not the own you think it is https://t.co/5G7ysK4z6o pic.twitter.com/tYnPRQy6ED

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 9, 2025

The Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh weighed in as well, saying, “No, no, this is from a different time when leftist militants were torching police cars while I sat back and cheered them on.’ Wow. You really dunked on us, governor. Good one.”

“No, no, this is from a different time when leftist militants were torching police cars while I sat back and cheered them on”

Wow. You really dunked on us, governor. Good one. https://t.co/Axi9terps5

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) June 9, 2025

“You’ll have to forgive the masses for mixing up which time you let Los Angeles descend into fiery chaos. To think, radical democrats want all of America to be run like California …” Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) added.

You’ll have to forgive the masses for mixing up which time you let Los Angeles descend into fiery chaos.

To think, radical democrats want all of America to be run like California… https://t.co/ZX5G8aUgup

— Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) June 9, 2025