California Gov. Newsom Faces Criticism Over 'Hustle' Childhood Claims

California Governor Gavin Newsom faced widespread ridicule from conservatives after recounting a childhood story on the "All The Smoke" podcast where he described his family as "hustling" to pay bills, with his mother working "two and a half jobs." In the podcast, Newsom shared memories of growing up with simple meals like Wonder Bread and macaroni and cheese, which led to laughter during the interview and skepticism on social media. Critics pointed out that Newsom's father was a judge and lawyer closely connected to the wealthy Getty family, challenging Newsom's portrayal of financial hardship. The clip posted on social media by conservative figures quickly went viral, drawing harsh commentary accusing Newsom of dishonesty and presenting a false narrative of his upbringing. Some commentators mocked Newsom’s attempt to relate to average struggles, highlighting his affluent family background and a San Francisco home he lived in that was recently valued at $3.6 million. The backlash reflects a broader critique of politicians perceived as fabricating modest pasts for political gain.