By Charles Switzer
11:12am PST, Jan 15, 2025
'Uh… Is He Okay?'
California Governor
Gavin Newsom recently faced online criticism for his peculiar behavior during a live television interview addressing the ongoing
Los Angeles wildfire crisis. On Monday, January 13, while standing amidst the charred remnants of affected neighborhoods, Newsom's unexpected shoulder shimmy and broad smile sparked a flurry of reactions across social media platforms.
"Uh… is he okay? Hair gel Newsom thinks people whose lives are decimated at the moment should shake it off, I guess that's what he means," an X commenter shared.
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The Shimmy Seen 'Round the Internet'
During the interview with a local L.A. Fox affiliate, Newsom discussed concerns about property speculators targeting
fire-ravaged areas. He mentioned consulting with Hawaii Governor
Josh Green about "land use issues," stating while giving an odd chuckle, "[Green] had some ideas about some land use concerns he has around speculators coming in, buying up properties and the like."
Accompanying his comments with a noticeable shoulder shimmy and a wide grin, the governor nervously shared, "We're already working with our legal teams to move those things forward and we'll be presenting those in a matter of days, not just weeks."
Social Media Reacts
The politican's unexpected dance move quickly became fodder for social media as one of the nation's major cities
roasts in flames. One viral post remarked, "I wasn't really concerned about developers buying up all…"
Another commentator questioned, "What the actual f— is wrong with Governor Gavin News… wildfire-ravaged properties."
Memes and edited videos featuring Newsom's shimmy flooded online chat fests amplifying the online ridicule.
Critics Question Appropriateness Amid Crisis
Beyond the humor, some critics expressed concern over the appropriateness of Newsom's demeanor during a serious discussion about the devastating fires.
They argued that his lighthearted behavior seemed out of touch with the gravity of the situation, where many residents have lost homes and their lives have been disrupted.
"Under the reign of Governor Newsom, living in California has become impossible for average people through years of poor policies," a nonpartisan organization shared in 2024 via
The New York Post. "This was most recently demonstrated by the woefully unprepared and incompetent response to the fires currently ravaging the Los Angeles area."
Newsom's Response
As of now, Governor Newsom has not publicly addressed the backlash stemming from his on-air behavior.
His office remained silent on the matter, leaving constituents and commentators to interpret the incident without official clarification.
"Silence is not the way to proceed after this," a PR analyst said on X.
Public Perception… A Balancing Act
The episode highlights the delicate balance public officials must maintain between "conveying empathy and authority during the inferno crisis," with L.A. Mayor
Karen Bass also feeling the heat the past week.
Newsom's shimmy, intended or not, "does not bode well for his future hopes for the White House because this meme is not going anywhere… ever," the analyst observed.
