California Governor Gavin Newsom has intensified his political conflict with President Donald Trump by releasing a TikTok video that uses Taylor Swift’s song “You Need to Calm Down” to criticize the president’s social media activity. The video was posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, amidst growing tensions related to federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, California.
The TikTok video included screenshots of a recent Truth Social post in which Trump referred to Newsom as “Gavin Newscum.” Newsom matched these images with lyrics from Swift’s song, featuring lines about speaking in public versus tweeting, along with photos of the two politicians conversing. The video ended with Newsom labeling Trump as “America’s keyboard warrior.”
Newsom’s social media action coincided with significant federal measures in Los Angeles, California, where Trump deployed approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines without the governor’s approval. This deployment was in response to what the administration called unrest linked to Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that started on Friday, June 6.
California officials responded by filing a lawsuit to challenge the federal deployment. Attorney General Rob Bonta stated at a press conference on Monday, June 9, that there was no invasion or rebellion occurring. Bonta described the federalization of the California National Guard as an overreach of presidential authority under the law.
The situation escalated when Trump supported the idea of arresting Newsom for hindering immigration enforcement. During a press briefing on Monday, Trump expressed that he would endorse such action if he were border czar Tom Homan, who had previously suggested that Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass might face legal repercussions for opposing federal operations.
In a strong response, Newsom described Trump’s actions as a move toward authoritarianism. The governor also refuted White House claims about a phone call between the two leaders. White House spokesman Steven Cheung stated that the president had called Newsom to advise him to “get his act together,” but Newsom denied the call took place, posting on the social media platform X that Trump was “a stone-cold liar.”
The choice of the Swift song for the TikTok video carries additional meaning beyond its lyrics. “You Need to Calm Down” was released during Pride Month in 2019 and is part of Swift’s “Lover” album, which is known for its pro-LGBTQ+ message. This song selection adds another dimension to Newsom’s political messaging during the ongoing dispute.
Meanwhile, the broader immigration enforcement actions have sparked widespread protests in several cities. Demonstrations have extended from Los Angeles to Seattle, Washington; Austin, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and Washington, D.C., with protesters holding signs against ICE operations and disrupting traffic in downtown areas and outside federal buildings.
The conflict has also highlighted the role of TikTok as a platform for political communication. The social media platform has gained significance for political messaging, with both officials and critics utilizing it to engage younger audiences and shape public opinion on policy issues.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned lawmakers on Wednesday that the order Trump utilized to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles could set a precedent for similar actions in other states. Hegseth noted that if similar disturbances occurred elsewhere and law enforcement faced threats, the administration would have the capability to deploy National Guard forces if necessary.
The protests in Los Angeles have led to numerous arrests and incidents of violence. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Emiliano Garduno-Galvez, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, for throwing a Molotov cocktail at agents during the riots. The Department of Homeland Security reported that Garduno-Galvez had been deported previously and had a criminal record in the United States, including charges of grand theft and driving under the influence.
The ongoing tensions between California state officials and the Trump administration present a significant test of federal versus state authority in immigration enforcement.
