Negatively contrasted with the president, a blue state governor was slammed as “condescending” for his snippy response about a $1.1 billion project including secret passages for lawmakers.
Democrats desperate for a talking point to dunk on President Donald Trump amid their losing arguments on their government shutdown have seen fit to give the White House Ballroom project the full Trump Derangement Syndrome treatment. Since California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) brought it up, a reporter challenged him on his own state’s lack of transparency on the ongoing Capitol Annex Project, prompting a “disgusting” answer, treating the journalist “like she’s a kindergartner.”
The exchange occurred on Tuesday when Newsom was joined by California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) for a press conference where KCRA’s Ashley Zavala noted both officials commented on the ballroom.
“It has been three years since the legislature updated the public on the cost of that project,” she said of the Capitol Annex Project in Sacramento, originally estimated at over $500 million in 2018, before noting, “We’ve reported that they have violated the Legislative Open Records Act. They are continuing to withhold public records. I’ve asked for an interview for more than a year now, and no one will provide an update.”
“Is that appropriate on one of the most expensive buildings in the United States at this point?” she asked.
New: I asked Gov. Gavin Newsom & AG Rob Bonta if it’s appropriate CALeg continues to withhold records & updated cost of Capitol Annex Project.
Newsom turned to Bonta: “you’re my attorney”
“I don’t think it’s appropriate, they should provide the information period full stop” pic.twitter.com/GVo7Y28FTv
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) October 28, 2025
Newsom turned to Bonta and said, “You’re my attorney,” before testily addressing Zavala, “By the way, I don’t think it’s appropriate. They should provide the information, period full stop. But for you to conflate or compare and contrast is, with all due respect, I think that I would separate a ballroom and what Donald Trump just did in desecration, and the process, and that he evolved, and the fact that he secured $300 million under curious circumstances from the annex and what the legislature’s trying to do.”
Slamming the exchange on X, Kevin Dalton wrote, “This is disgusting. After being stunned into silence, Gavin Newsom begins to condescendingly speak to Ashley Zavala like she’s a kindergartener when she asks about the California Capitol expansion that is cloaked in secrecy and has become one of the most expensive buildings in the country.”
Professional golfer Phil Mickelson added, “How a politician should duck, dodge, weave, avoid 1o1. [By the way], why does he say ‘Period. Full stop?’ So often. What does that even mean?”
How a politician should duck, dodge, weave, avoid 101.
Btw , why does he say “Period. Full stop?” So often. What does that even mean https://t.co/7mfkReiQoE
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) October 28, 2025
Regarding the Capitol Annex Project, KCRA reported the estimated cost had doubled since 2018 to at least $1.1 billion, and over 2,000 people had signed non-disclosure agreements related to the project. Further, the outlet detailed that, in addition to costly extravagances like shipping rocks to Italy and back for finishing for $5.2 million that had been kept under wraps, the project includes secret hallways for legislators to use in order to avoid public scrutiny when they see fit.
Other reactions to Newsom’s response dubbed the governor with White House aspirations a “sociopath” and “slimy.”
He gets viciously angry at reporters who ask the wrong questions. Long history of that.
— MAZE (@mazemoore) October 28, 2025
@CAgovernor you are absolutely the most unprofessional, lying politician I have heard in a long time
I think it was very interesting that as the governor you stated “it’s not my branch of the government” what exactly does that mean? You are the governor and you claim it’s not…— Curiously Curious (@serena4d) October 28, 2025
When Gavin Newsom says “with all due respect”, brace yourself for the incoming disrespect!
— Nyxie (@nyxiegryph) October 28, 2025
I’m sorry you have to experience talking with a sociopath Ashley. It must be a frustrating experience.
He always deflects like a good little political pet. He knows there is no transparency and that everyone had to sign NDAs but he lies without effort.
Its stark to watch!
— Urson Russell (@urussticles) October 28, 2025
After listening to @CAgovernor Newsom’s answer to your question, I feel like I was on the ghostbusters movie set and was just slimed. Such a slimy dude. pic.twitter.com/RUOoB86JIt
— California Lowdown (@CAlowdown) October 28, 2025
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Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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