Newsom asks Biden for federal taxpayer dollars to house California's homeless
Former Democrat leader of California state Senate Gloria Romeo reacts to Gov. Gavin Newsom seeking federal health care funding to pay rent for homeless population.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was spotted walking the streets of San Francisco when a local man caught him by surprise by asking what he was doing to solve the opioid epidemic.
A San Francisco resident identifying himself as "J.J. Smith" shouted out to Newsom, "Hey Gavin, tell me whatcha going to do about the fentanyl epidemic?"
Newsom responded by asking, "What should I do, J.J? You tell me what we need to do. That's why I'm here." The governor's office told a local outlet he was there for a private meeting with cabinet members to discuss "the state’s ongoing efforts to tackle the fentanyl crisis, homelessness, and other critical issues."
The Democrat was ridiculed after Smith shared the exchange on Twitter.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was ripped by critics over his response about the opioid crisis. (Dai Sugano/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
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"Unbelievable, he walks around like he owns the place, because he know[sic] the media will never show him in a bad light," one Twitter user remarked.
San Francisco journalist Meaghan M. Mitchell mocked, "Like bro.. why are you even here if you are just going to dismiss people..." She also laughed at Newsom's "weak" answer.
Another local reporter was flabbergasted by Newsom's response.
"'"You tell me what we need to do' umm sir, you are the governor!" Annie Gaus tweeted with a laughing emoji.
"'I need you to tell me what we need to do' as he walks away with no intention of listening to an actual resident affected by the problem. Nice of him to drop back in CA though, he's been on the road scolding other states for a while now," writer Jared Klickstein remarked.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom was ridiculed for his response to a man asking how he was going to solve the fentanyl epidemic. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
"Don't tell me, the answer involved hair gel right?" a Californian who said he was a former Democrat quipped. "Let me guess.. Vote for him for President in 2024 so he can show us what his plan is then?" another Twitter account mocked.
Michael Shellenberger, who ran against Newsom in the 2022 gubernatorial election called out the governor for fueling the opioid crisis.
"Drug overdoses are skyrocketing because Gov.@GavinNewsom& SF Mayor@LondonBreed refuse to shut down the open air drug markets and mandate drug treatment. Instead, they're letting people repeatedly OD and die on the streets and in homeless hotels. It's grotesque & inhumane," he tweeted.
Tents line the sidewalk of a San Francisco street. (Fox news Digital / Jon Michael Raasch)
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Smith revealed that Newsom came back around later and gave a different answer to the question. Newsom reportedly told Smith he was "here" in San Francisco "to work on that [the opioid crisis] now."
That retort was also ripped by critics.
"That's not an answer," one Twitter user reacted. Others gave cynical responses alleging the governor came back just for a "photo op" or to do "damage control."
Smith explained to a Bay Area reporter that he wanted to hold the governor accountable because he was a San Francisco resident and taxpayer.
Newsom previously was the Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. Despite facing heavy criticism for his COVID-19 policies as governor, the Democrat was able to defeat a recall attempt in 2021.
Last week Newsom also faced ridicule after an awkward video of the governor visiting New College of Florida made rounds on social media. Newsom has repeatedly taken aim at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, raising speculation he may run for president in 2024.
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However, Newsom has reportedly promised the White House he is "all in" to support Biden as the Democratic nominee.
Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom's office for comment but has yet to receive a response.