Gavin Newsom Suggests His Conservative Critics Are Gay in Online Insults Criticized as Homophobic NYT | Top Stories Tim Balk 1 April 2026 at 03:44 Gov. Gavin Newsom’s aides said that their online insults were meant to ridicule figures on the right. But some critics say they are homophobic. © Felix Hörhager/picture-alliance, via AP ImagesGov. Gavin Newsom of California, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, is attracting criticism for social media posts taunting his opponents by suggesting they are gay.