California Governor Gavin Newsom turned Halloween into a political spectacle this year by poking fun at several high-profile figures from Donald Trump’s administration. In a series of tongue-in-cheek posts shared on X (formerly Twitter), Newsom’s team released fake “Halloween costume kits” mocking Trump’s top officials — each labeled with satirical names and accessories meant to exaggerate their reputations.
The playful stunt, shared on October 31, 2025, immediately went viral, drawing both laughs and criticism across social media.
One mock kit called the “Sloshed Signal Leaking Specter” appeared to target Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The costume included props like “razors for all troops” and a “wrong Signal chat,” alluding to Hegseth’s past controversies over military communication and personal remarks.
Another kit dubbed “Beef Import Bully” took aim at Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, complete with “climate denial flashcards” and “Texas steakhouse loyalty card.” The gag referenced her outspoken stance on deregulation and agricultural trade.
South Dakota Governor-turned-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was spoofed as “Border Barbie Cosplay,” a jab at her tough-on-immigration persona and viral social-media appearances.
Perhaps the boldest was “Brain Worm Boogeyman,” clearly aimed at Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., mocking his long-criticized anti-vaccine views.
Newsom’s press office designed each “kit” as a parody ad, complete with themed packaging and slogans that could easily pass for Halloween costume boxes. The presentation mixed humor, graphic design, and biting political satire — turning the governor’s official account into what looked like a late-night comedy show feed.
The Daily Beast described the campaign as a “nightmare costume series” that blends political trolling with meme culture. The outlet noted that while the jokes were playful, they also reflected Newsom’s growing tendency to fuse policy communication with pop-culture humor.
Critics from conservative circles accused Newsom of “acting like a TikTok influencer instead of a governor,” while many of his supporters praised the creativity as a refreshing break from traditional political messaging.
This isn’t the first time Newsom has used online mockery to needle Trump and his allies. Over the past year, he’s launched parody merch, trolled MAGA talking points, and even responded to Trump’s Truth Social posts with biting one-liners — moves that seem designed to amplify his national presence.
As The Daily Beast put it, “Newsom’s Halloween stunt wasn’t about costumes — it was about control of the political narrative.” In a media landscape where memes often travel faster than policies, the California governor seems intent on staying both topical and unpredictable.
