California Gov. Gavin Newsom received a considerably less enthusiastic welcome at one stop on his South Carolina tour, where Republican protesters greeted the possible 2028 presidential contender with signs telling him to take his politics—and apparently himself—back west.
Newsom spent Thursday traveling through South Carolina as Democrats attempt to build enthusiasm ahead of November’s midterms. While crowds in Hardeeville and St. Helena Island welcomed him warmly, his arrival in rural Dorchester County produced a very different scene.
The South Carolina Republican Party’s X post shared footage of protesters gathered for Newsom’s appearance, describing those in attendance as “proud Lowcountry patriots” who made sure the California governor received what the party called a “proper South Carolina welcome.”
The Republican account was hardly subtle about how it viewed Newsom’s visit. “South Carolina is proud to be RED,” the party wrote while celebrating the turnout against the California Democrat.
In the footage, protesters hold signs aimed directly at Newsom and his record back home, including one telling him to “Clean Up Your State First.” The message fit neatly with the larger theme of the demonstration: Republicans were not interested in giving Newsom a quiet reception and instead used his California identity as the centerpiece of their criticism.
California Republicans React to Newsom’s Visit
For Newsom, confrontations like this come with the territory as his political profile continues to extend well beyond California.
For Republicans, however, the moment offered something equally useful. Instead of simply criticizing Newsom in another press release or campaign statement, the party had footage of actual protesters waiting for the Democratic governor and made the confrontation itself the message.
“State ranked #42 in education, by the way. also, the “proud lowcounty patriots” is a whopping 15 people. people with half a brain left are hopping off the trump train!”
“Anyone who supports Newscum in SC is an absolute moron!! Here in CA we’re counting the days until he’s gone!!”
“Clean Up Your State First,” said one user.
The clip also shows why Newsom remains such a useful political target outside California. His name immediately turns what might otherwise have been a routine stop into national politics, and Republican protesters were ready to make his record back home part of the conversation.
