A parody video released by Reform California responding to Gavin Newsom’s 2026 State of the State address has gone viral this week, generating more than 500,000 unique views across social media platforms.
The video, launched moments before Newsom delivered his annual address, uses humor and AI-generated satire to portray the Governor admitting to what critics describe as California’s deteriorating conditions under his leadership — including the nation’s highest cost of living, record homelessness, failing schools, rising crime, and widespread government fraud.
The parody was produced and promoted by Reform California Chairman and State Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, who described the video as an intentional effort to counter what he called Newsom’s “dishonest and divisive” State of the State address.
“Gavin Newsom runs the most fraud-plagued state government in the nation — and he is a fraud himself,” said DeMaio. “Because of his extremist policies and gross mismanagement, California is now in a full-blown crisis.”
The parody video highlights what DeMaio describes as “epic levels of fraud” under Newsom’s watch, including thirty billion dollars in stolen unemployment funds, three billion dollars in food-stamp fraud, billions wasted on failed homelessness programs, and hundreds of millions of dollars funneled to far-left taxpayer-funded groups, while core services are cut and taxes on small businesses continue to rise.
The video also mocks Newsom’s repeated tendency to deflect blame for California’s problems — from climate change to President Donald Trump — rather than accepting responsibility for policies enacted under his administration.
“With Gavin Newsom, there’s always someone else to blame — never him,” DeMaio said. “Instead of acknowledging the problems facing our state and offering real solutions, he pretends everything is great while Californians are struggling to survive.”
According to DeMaio, the strong online response demonstrates that voters are increasingly receptive to unconventional political messaging that combines satire with substantive criticism.
“Newsom is worthy of being mocked,” DeMaio said. “The best way to expose his failures is to entertain while educating voters — and that’s exactly what this video does.”
Reform California says it is continuing to promote the video statewide as part of a broader effort to challenge Democratic control of Sacramento and encourage Republicans to adopt more effective modern communication strategies.
Reform California is urging supporters and voters to watch the parody video, share it across social media, and help spread the message statewide. The organization says the goal is to ensure more Californians see through what it calls the Governor’s misleading rhetoric and failed leadership.