California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing backlash after publicly criticizing Vice President JD Vance for visiting Disneyland with his family over the weekend, just one day after a pair of major ICE raids shook communities in Ventura County. Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha and two of their children, was spotted enjoying a family day at the Anaheim theme park.
According to posts from @DisneyScoopGuy on X (formerly Twitter), the family rode the newly opened Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, explored Tom Sawyer’s Island, and even dined at the exclusive 21 Royal restaurant inside Disneyland. The visit was reportedly personal and not related to any official duties.
However, that didn’t stop Gavin Newsom from slamming the Vice President. In a post on X, the California governor shared a video of Vance at the park, writing, “Hope you enjoy your family time, @JDVance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t.” Newsom’s pointed remark referenced two large-scale immigration raids that occurred the day before Vance’s Disneyland visit. ICE agents reportedly detained approximately 200 suspected undocumented immigrants during operations at two farms in Ventura County.
Gavin Newsom’s post quickly sparked a heated online debate, with critics accusing the governor of politicizing a private family outing. “You have been facilitating child trafficking for forced labor, Newscum,” one user wrote. “You’ve got some nerve trying to shame JD Vance for being a father.” Meanwhile, some pointed to Newsom’s donor’s cannabis farm being under federal investigation for “child labor violations.” “You enslave children on weed farms,” one X user claimed. “Sorry your weed farm got busted,” another wrote.
Others defended Gavin Newsom’s statement, arguing that the Vice President’s policies and the timing of his public appearance at a family-friendly destination were tone-deaf in light of the emotional toll immigration crackdowns have taken on California communities.
Protesters Gather Outside Disneyland to Decry JD Vance’s Visit Amid ICE Raids
The controversy didn’t stop online. According to the Orange County Register, between 100 and 150 protesters gathered outside Disneyland’s gates on both Friday and Saturday to protest Vance’s presence at the park. Additional demonstrations were held in nearby Anaheim, highlighting growing tensions over recent immigration enforcement actions in Southern California.
Though Vance has not publicly commented on the trip or the protests, the incident has reignited debate about the optics of political figures’ personal outings, especially when they coincide with emotionally charged events that impact the communities they represent or visit. For now, what was meant to be a private family day at “The Happiest Place on Earth” has turned into yet another flashpoint in an already heated national conversation.
