Newsom Comments On Vance Trip
Vice President JD Vance’s quiet family visit to Disneyland over the weekend quickly ignited a firestorm—largely from critics who appear more focused on optics than facts. While visiting Southern California, Vance was spotted walking with his wife, Usha, and two of their children through Disneyland’s Bayou Country. Social media user @DisneyScoopGuy captured and posted footage of the Vice President enjoying several attractions, including Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and later dining at the exclusive 21 Royal restaurant inside the park.
Despite the personal and private nature of the trip, California Governor Gavin Newsom reacted with hostility. In a series of online posts, Newsom criticized Vance’s policy positions on immigration, Medicaid reform, and federal spending, sarcastically implying the Vice President was in California to “detain Mickey Mouse.” He later escalated the rhetoric, tweeting: “Hope you enjoy your family time, [Vice President] JD Vance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t.”
Hope you enjoy your family time, @JDVance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t. https://t.co/GjvIUg8I2B
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) July 12, 2025
The remarks were widely panned as hyperbolic and politically opportunistic. Critics were quick to point out that lawful deportations are not equivalent to “tearing families apart,” especially when deportations are conducted in compliance with federal immigration law. Former Border Czar Tom Homan has repeatedly stated that the U.S. has mechanisms for deporting family units together, further undermining the narrative that lawful enforcement equals cruelty.
JD is back in California.
He won’t take the time to debate and defend gutting our Medicaid system, taking away kids school meals, militarizing America’s streets, or adding trillions to the debt.
Instead, he’s off to Disneyland. Probably to detain Mickey Mouse at this rate. https://t.co/ppzwnVSqA1
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 13, 2025
Vance, for his part, did not take the bait. His brief but pointed response—“Had a great time, thanks”—effectively neutralized the criticism without escalating the exchange.
Had a great time, thanks https://t.co/dKKA76mqhd
— JD Vance (@JDVance) July 13, 2025
The reaction to Vance’s visit reveals more about the current political climate than about the visit itself. Personal moments by public officials, especially those involving family, are increasingly being politicized. In this case, a routine family outing was turned into a national headline, not for what was done—but for who did it.
Despite the noise, there is no indication that the trip violated any protocols or derailed any official responsibilities. As the Vice President resumes his duties, the broader political establishment may want to consider whether performative outrage is a productive use of public attention