California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press team has once again targeted conservative journalist Benny Johnson, this time with a provocative allegation involving the gay dating app Grindr.
This isn’t the first time Newsom has sparred with Johnson. Recently, the governor hit back with a cutting retort after Johnson, who has vowed to sue controversial figure Milo Yiannopoulos over accusations regarding his sexuality, criticized him.
Johnson had earlier suggested that Newsom appeared “terrified,” alleging that ongoing fraud investigations in California might expose corruption tied to the governor.
“There’s a reason Gavin Newsom looks so terrified right now. He should be,” Johnson remarked.
In response, Newsom’s team, known for its sharp and sometimes Trump-like responses on social media platform X, quickly fired back at Johnson.
“We got a call from Grindr after this and they said your team was their biggest users. Congrats!” the press office quipped.
Grindr is a gay dating app with about 15 million active users per month.
Johnson shot back at Newsom later Wednesday, accusing Newsom of trying to use nasty insults to distract from his failings.
Gavin Newsom’s (pictured) press office again accused conservative journalist Benny Johnson of using the gay dating app Grindr in a shocking post
Johnson (pictured) suggested Newsom looks ‘terrified’ after suggesting that fraud investigations into the state of California will uncover corruption by Newsom
‘Notice how every time a journalist uncovers fraud in California, Newsom’s reaction is to smear us with lies — not fix the fraud,’ Johnson wrote.
‘Gavin called Nick Shirley a pedo last week for trying to end fraud in California. Stop attacking the people who are doing YOUR job. It’s just sad.’
When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Newsom denied any homophobia in the tweet.
‘We love gay people and it’s very woke of you to ask about this! We’re sorry some conservative snowflakes had their feelings hurt. We hope they recover!’
Johnson is married to Kate Johnson, a nurse. The couple have four kids together.
She celebrated their wedding anniversary last month, writing: ‘Nine years and 4 babies later and I love you more than I thought possible. Happy Anniversary, my love. You are the best of men.’
Johnson said in January that he would be traveling to California ‘next week’ to visit what he called ‘the fraud capital of the world.’
He cited alleged mismanagement of funds, which supposedly included $70billion lost in taxpayer funds, $24billion spent on ‘non–existent’ homelessness programs and $18billion used on a stalled high–speed rail project.
Johnson (pictured) shot back at Newsom later Wednesday, accusing Newsom of trying to use nasty insults to distract from his failings
Johnson also claimed that $32billion in COVID–19 relief funds had been ‘stolen’ and that $2.5billion were ‘lost’ to SNAP fraud.
He pointed to how ‘billions spent on rebuilding after the Palisades fires’ resulted in ‘no homes built’, as well.
‘The American taxpayers are p***ed,’ Johnson added. ‘We fight for them.’
Newsom’s press office previously responded to Johnson’s claim that $70 billion had been lost and claimed that description was ‘false.’
‘The State Auditor’s ‘high–risk’ list does NOT cite billions in current losses,’ the account said. ‘It’s a report to flag programs for added oversight BEFORE potential fraud occurs.’
The post added: ‘California PROSECUTES fraud — arresting 929 people and recovering $5.9 billion in unemployment fraud alone.’
Johnson’s claim that $24 billion was spent on ‘non–existent’ homelessness programs appeared to reference a 2023 report assessing their effectiveness.
The report said that money was allocated from 2018 to 2023, but that the programs had not been ‘consistently tracked and evaluated.’
The ‘stolen’ COVID–19 relief funds that Johnson was pointing to seemed to cite a Lexis Nexis data analysis that claimed about $32.6billion in fraudulent money could have been paid out in California.
Johnson’s claims about California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) being used for fraud were previously echoed by Congresswoman Young Kim, a Republican, last month.
She asked Newsom to start a ‘thorough investigation into fraud’ and ‘to ensure illegal aliens are not prioritized over Californians and that vital food services reach California’s most vulnerable communities for whom the program was intended.’
The Pacific Palisades fire hit about 9,000 homes but only about one third have started rebuilding to any extent, according to The Wall Street Journal.
In a follow–up post, Johnson claimed that he had received more than 250 emails ‘from California state employees and public officials with detailed fraud evidence.’
