Newsom’s California Ad Busted for Using Footage from Ukraine, Quietly Deletes It [WATCH]

California Governor Gavin Newsom came under fire this week after his office released a promotional ad praising the state’s economy and attacking President Donald Trump’s tariff policies—only to quickly delete the video after viewers discovered that some of the footage was filmed in Ukraine and Estonia.

The 30-second ad, posted to X, sought to highlight California’s position as a global economic leader while accusing President Trump of endangering the U.S. economy.

“Trump’s tariffs punish families and risk ending America’s run as the world’s greatest economy,” Newsom said in the video.

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The governor, a frequent critic of President Trump, also claimed that California is now the “fourth-largest economy in the world,” showcasing images of a sleek office space and a large industrial warehouse to underscore his point about the state’s innovation and manufacturing strength.

But shortly after the video was posted, users on X began flagging that the visuals weren’t even from California.

One user revealed that the warehouse footage was created by Artie Medvedev, a photographer and videographer based in Ukraine.

Another segment of the video—a high-tech office scene—was traced back to Gorodenkoff Productions, a video company headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia.

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Brandon Phillips, a Republican political operative from Georgia, commented on the post with a sarcastic remark: “Minor detail!”

His post was shared widely as viewers mocked the irony of using foreign imagery in a video meant to promote California industry.

Following the backlash, Newsom’s team quietly pulled the original video and uploaded a new version featuring footage shot in the United States.

Donald Trump’s tariffs are wreaking havoc on our economy.

We’re airing this on Fox News all weekend to send the Trump administration a clear message:

Stop punishing American families. pic.twitter.com/f83p92Qilb

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) May 9, 2025

The incident adds to ongoing criticism of Newsom’s leadership as speculation continues about his national ambitions.

Though Newsom has repeatedly denied interest in a 2024 or 2028 presidential bid, a recent survey suggests many Californians remain unconvinced.

A poll conducted by the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times found that 54% of registered voters in California believe Newsom is more focused on his own political future than addressing the challenges facing the state.

President Trump has weighed in on Newsom’s political prospects in the past, stating that he would “love” to see the California governor run for president as a Democrat.

“I would love him to run,” Trump said. “But his handling of wildfires and the state’s collapse would pretty much put him out of the race.”

This week’s video flap is the latest in a series of controversies that have followed Newsom as he seeks to raise his national profile.

Critics argue the ad misstep underscores a broader pattern of style over substance, while supporters of the governor have remained largely silent on the matter.

As of now, the updated ad remains online, though the initial error has continued to circulate among Newsom’s detractors on social media.

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