California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump, comparing the US president to the infamous French queen Marie Antoinette through a series of provocative social media posts featuring an AI-generated image.
The Marie Antoinette Comparison
On Friday 8th November 2025, Newsom's press office shared a digitally altered portrait showing Trump scowling while dressed in an opulent blue and white dress, complete with a matching blue bow in his towering, ringleted grey hairstyle. The image was captioned 'GOOD NIGHT, PEASANTS!' in a clear reference to Marie Antoinette's apocryphal phrase 'Let them eat cake'.
The historical comparison draws parallels between the French queen, who was executed by guillotine during the Revolution for her perceived indifference to her starving subjects, and President Trump's actions during the ongoing government shutdown. Newsom's team posted the image in response to Trump travelling to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida while the government shutdown dragged into its fortieth day.
Deepening Political Conflict
In a series of X posts, Governor Newsom directly accused the president of showing disregard for American citizens during the crisis. 'Donald Trump is literally fighting in court to ensure Americans starve. HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU,' Newsom wrote. His press office escalated the rhetoric further, claiming Trump's administration was 'fighting tooth and nail to starve children'.
This isn't the first time Newsom's team has deployed this particular AI image. Last month, they shared the same picture when reports emerged that renovations of the White House ballroom were continuing despite budget problems elsewhere. Mocking Trump's signature style of posting in all caps, they wrote: 'TRUMP 'MARIE ANTOINETTE' SAYS, 'NO HEALTH CARE FOR YOU PEASANTS, BUT A BALLROOM FOR THE QUEEN!'
Trump's Own AI Content and Shutdown Impact
The political trolling comes amid Trump's own history of sharing AI-generated content. Last month, the president shared an AI-generated video depicting himself as a king flying a fighter jet and bombing protesters with excrement. In response to the 'No Kings' protests, Trump did nothing to dispel monarchical comparisons, instead reinforcing the imagery with his 'King Trump' plane video.
The current US government shutdown has now become the longest in history as the impasse between Democrats and Republicans continues into a new month. During a shutdown, 'non-essential' federal services are halted or reduced, and many government employees are placed on unpaid leave. Millions of Americans now face the risk of losing food aid benefits, with access to food stamp benefits already disrupted.
Trump has stated he 'won't be extorted' by Democrats who are demanding negotiations to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire at the end of the year for millions of Americans. The standoff shows no signs of resolution as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
