(Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized a recent social media post from the U.S. Department of Defense, arguing that the message glorifies conflict while ignoring the heavy economic burden the war with Iran is placing on Americans.
The controversy began after the Department of Defense’s Rapid Response account shared an image of a missile with the phrase “no mercy” written across it. The official account accompanied the image with a brief statement declaring, “We have Only Just Begun to Fight.”
The post quickly sparked backlash online, with critics accusing the government of using aggressive rhetoric while failing to acknowledge the real-world costs of military escalation. Among the most vocal critics was Newsom’s press office, which responded by highlighting the financial impact of the conflict on everyday Americans.
In a message posted online, Newsom’s team wrote, “FYI, this is costing the American people an extra $1.5billion at the pump this week.”
The governor’s press team has repeatedly criticized the administration’s approach to the Iran conflict in recent days. They argue that the rising cost of fuel — driven in part by increased global oil prices — is a direct consequence of military tensions and has placed additional pressure on American households.
Earlier this week, Newsom’s office also suggested that the president’s decision to launch strikes against Iran may have been influenced by political motivations. In a separate post, the press office shared a chart showing search trends related to the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Alongside the graphic, they wrote, “Trump’s motives for his decisions over the last 2 weeks in one chart.”
Newsom’s team also used the moment to criticize what they described as wasteful spending by the previous leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. Kristi Noem was recently removed from her position, and the governor’s press office claimed that government resources had been misused during her tenure.
They wrote, “GOVERNMENT WASTE ALERT: The Trump Admin bought thousands of cars, including Mustangs, and wrapped them in a tacky design. They’re collecting DUST in storage!”
Meanwhile, the ongoing military strikes against Iran have had a significant impact on global energy markets. According to the Associated Press, crude oil prices have climbed above $100 per barrel, a surge that has fueled further criticism from Newsom and his team.
In another pointed message, the governor’s press office asked, “What part of the Trump Golden Era of affordability plan is this?”
They also warned that the economic ripple effects could continue to grow, writing in a separate post, “We already have long TSA lines because of Donald Trump. Are Trump gas lines coming soon, too?”
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