California Governor Gavin Newsom appeared to cast doubt on former President Donald Trump’s mental state after the 79-year-old made widely-debunked claims about sending water to the state during a cabinet meeting.
What Happened
During a cabinet meeting, Trump claimed he sent “hundreds of millions of gallons of water per day” to California, accusing Governor Newsom of blocking critical water supplies amid wildfire crises. Newsom responded by posting a screenshot of an interaction with Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, questioning whether repeating false statements is a sign of dementia.
Who Is Involved
-
Gavin Newsom: California Governor and vocal critic of Trump, questioned the accuracy of Trump’s water claims.
-
Donald Trump: Former U.S. President, made unfounded statements about California water management during his cabinet meeting.
-
Elon Musk’s Grok: AI chatbot used by Newsom to highlight concerns about repeating false claims.
Background or Timeline
-
January 2025: California faced brush fires and water shortages; fire chiefs reported low water pressure.
-
Trump’s Cabinet Meeting: Trump claimed to have released water to California that never reached the intended areas.
-
Newsom’s Response: Reposted the video on X and consulted Grok to illustrate potential cognitive issues.
-
White House Response: Called Newsom’s post a distraction from his handling of California wildfires.
Public or Social Media Reaction
Newsom’s post quickly went viral, drawing attention to Trump’s repeated false claims. Social media users debated the accuracy of Trump’s statements and the implications of questioning a former president’s cognitive abilities. Some commentators criticized Newsom for mocking Trump, while others praised the governor for highlighting misinformation during a crisis.
Official Statement or What Happens Next
The White House dismissed Newsom’s claims as political distractions, reiterating that Trump had “stepped in” to resolve California’s wildfire water issues. Meanwhile, California officials maintain that no “water restoration declaration” exists and that Trump’s alleged Pacific Northwest water deliveries were logistically impossible. Analysts say water released from dams likely flowed into dry lakebeds, not Southern California, highlighting discrepancies in the former president’s statements.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
