Donald Trump has a history of sharing AI-generated images of himself, but he might not find this particular one as appealing. California Governor Gavin Newsom, known for his frequent clashes with the former president, recently took to social media to mock Trump once again. In a series of posts, Newsom compared Trump to Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, who was executed during the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette is often associated with the phrase “Let them eat cake,” which symbolizes her perceived detachment from the struggles of the common people, although it’s widely believed she never actually said this.
Newsom’s press office released a digitally altered portrait of Trump, showing him frowning while wearing an extravagant blue and white dress, complete with a matching blue bow in his voluminous, ringleted grey hair. The image was captioned, “GOOD NIGHT, PEASANTS!”
This image was shared in response to the news that Trump was heading to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, even as the government shutdown entered its 40th day and food stamp benefits were disrupted. On Friday, Newsom posted on X, criticizing Trump for what he described as a legal battle to ensure Americans face hunger. He wrote: “Donald Trump is literally fighting in court to ensure Americans starve. HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU.” His team went further, claiming that Trump’s administration was “fighting tooth and nail to starve children.”
Newsom’s team appears to be particularly fond of the image, as they have shared it before. Last month, they used the same photo to respond to reports about ongoing renovations at the White House ballroom, despite budget issues elsewhere. They mocked Trump’s habit of posting in all caps, writing: “TRUMP ‘MARIE ANTOINETTE’ SAYS, ‘NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU PEASANTS, BUT A BALLROOM FOR THE QUEEN!’”
Trump has also been known for sharing bizarre AI-generated content. Recently, he posted a video of himself as a king flying a fighter jet, bombing protesters with excrement. In response to the “No Kings” protests, he did little to counter these claims, instead showing his support for the “King Trump” plane. Additionally, he shared an AI-generated video of Gaza depicting nightlife, beaches, and hotels. Under his leadership, the Department of Homeland Security even released a modified version of the Pokémon theme tune related to arresting undocumented immigrants.
The current U.S. government shutdown is now the longest in history, as the deadlock between Democrats and Republicans continues into a new month. A shutdown occurs when Congress fails to agree on a budget, leading to the closure of non-essential federal services and unpaid leave for many government employees.
Trump has stated he will not be “extorted” by Democrats demanding negotiations to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year for millions of Americans. Millions more are also at risk of losing food assistance benefits.
For more updates on such stories, visit our news page. You can also stay informed by signing up for our News Updates newsletter.