Gavin Newsom Savagely Taunts Trump’s Hosting Of Kennedy Center Honors

On Dec 9, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom mocked President Donald Trump on multiple fronts over the president’s hosting of the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday. (The taped ceremony will air on CBS Dec. 23.)

As Trump took the lectern to honor recipients such as Sylvester Stallone and the band Kiss, Newsom seized center stage on X with a mocked-up photo of the governor accepting the inaugural (and fake) Kennedy Center peace prize from the president.

pic.twitter.com/zxdBBXzn7l

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

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TERRIFIC NIGHT ACCEPTING THE FIRST-EVER KENNEDY CENTER PEACE PRIZE!!! AUDIENCE WAS AMAZING (CHAIRS NOT GREAT, LIGHTING DISASTER). TRUMP AND JANITOR RIC GRENELL LET THE WHOLE PLACE GO TO HELL!! I TOLD THEM AS TRUMP DOZED OFF: RENAME IT THE NEWSOM CENTER!! ONLY I CAN FIX IT!!!… pic.twitter.com/zxdBBXzn7l

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

The taunt skewered the cringey sight of Trump receiving FIFA’s first peace prize during Friday’s telecast on Fox of the World Cup soccer draw ― seen by many as a consolation prize after Trump didn’t receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

But Newsom’s post cut so much deeper.

“TERRIFIC NIGHT ACCEPTING THE FIRST-EVER KENNEDY CENTER PEACE PRIZE!!!” wrote Newsom’s press office in the president’s all-caps custom.

“AUDIENCE WAS AMAZING (CHAIRS NOT GREAT, LIGHTING DISASTER). TRUMP AND JANITOR RIC GRENELL LET THE WHOLE PLACE GO TO HELL!!” it continued, calling out the center’s president.

“I TOLD THEM AS TRUMP DOZED OFF: RENAME IT THE NEWSOM CENTER!! ONLY I CAN FIX IT!!! CROWD WENT WILD — PEOPLE FAINTING, CRYING, SPEAKING IN TONGUES!!!” the post continued. “EVEN RFK JR. WAS SO MOVED AND INSPIRED BY ME THAT HE GRABBED TWEEZERS AND TRIED TO TAKE OUT THE BRAIN WORM! A HISTORIC NIGHT FOR AMERICA. YOU’RE WELCOME!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! — GCN”

In another hint at a name change possibly in store for the arts venue, Trump on Sunday included a bit in which he called the Kennedy Center the “Trump Kennedy Center” and feigned embarrassment. He also included a prediction of how “fake news” will review his performance and a boast about the possible ratings during 12 minutes of opening remarks.

His commandeering of the entertainment complex culminated in his installation as board chair and ultimately as the host of the annual ceremony ― on a network he sued, no less.

Newsom, who’s in the conversation of top Democratic possibilities for president in 2028, has already proved to be a commander in chief at trolling Trump.