Jan. 16, 2026, Published 5:12 p.m. ET
California Governor Gavin Newsom hit a new low in his juvenile trolling of Donald Trump and members of his administration by mocking an outfit worn by pregnant White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
The 58-year-old governor compared the expectant mom, 28, who wore a camel-colored blazer over a black dress, to former President Barack Obama’s infamous tan suit, wisecracking, “Who wore it better?”
‘TanGate’ Controversy
Leavitt wore the neutral-hued ensemble to her daily White House press briefing on Tuesday, January 16. Newsom’s office quickly posted a comparison of her jacket to the tan suit Obama wore during an August 2014 White House press briefing, which was widely mocked as “unpresidential.”
Right-wing pundits claimed the outfit was too casual for the serious topic the then-commander-in-chief was discussing — U.S. strategy against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Analysts even wrote entire think pieces debating whether Obama should have worn a tan suit while addressing Middle East Islamic terrorism.
At the time, New York Republican Congressman Pete King quipped that the president “looked like he was on his way to a party at the Hamptons.”
Public Backlash Against Newsom
Newsom faced immediate criticism on social media for his juvenile comparison.
“You’re comparing a Press Secretary to a President. How old are you? 10?” one commenter sneered.
“GAVVY Pooh has no clue just how cringe he is,” scoffed another, referencing the nickname given to Newsom by frequent critic Nicki Minaj.
“Weak but understandable, knowing how much you dip—- hate pregnant women,” a third user scolded the governor for his post.
Another wrote, “Damn, a professional woman is dressed professionally in the same color as Barry. You really got her.”
One critic bluntly called Newsom a “tool” who “needs to hire much smarter people. You’re actually making most Democrats hate him, too!”
Mocking a Pregnant Woman’s Clothing
Newsom’s taunt about Leavitt’s outfit was widely viewed as tone-deaf and borderline misogynistic, especially since the youngest female White House press secretary in history had recently announced she is expecting her second child.
Leavitt shared the joyous news on December 26, 2025, posting on Instagram, “The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for — a baby girl coming in May 2026,” along with a photo proudly showing off her baby bump.
The New Hampshire native and her husband, Nicholas Ricco, are already parents to an 18-month-old son, Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio.
Leavitt is the first and only expectant woman to hold the position of White House press secretary. She expressed her gratitude to Trump and his Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for “fostering a pro-family environment in the White House,” adding, “2026 is going to be a great year, and I am so excited to be a girl mom!”
Playing Politics Ahead of 2028
Governor Newsom has made a daily habit of trolling Trump and his staff, which many believe is an attempt to rally support within the Democratic Party ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run.
Newsom’s current term as governor ends in 2026. He has already visited several key primary states, including a 2025 tour of South Carolina.
In June 2025, the Bay Area native played coy about his presidential ambitions, teasing, “I’m not thinking about running, but it’s a path that I could see unfold.”
By October 2025, he conceded that he would be “lying otherwise” if he hadn’t given “serious thought” to announcing a presidential run following the 2026 midterm elections.
https://radaronline.com/p/gavin-newsom-trolls-pregnant-karoline-leavitt-outfit-obama-comparison/