California Governor Gavin Newsom faced a fresh surge of online criticism after he told CNN’s Jake Tapper that the state’s decision to shut down beaches during the COVID‑19 pandemic was “insane in hindsight.” The interview, recorded while Newsom was fly‑fishing in a Montana river, highlighted his reflection on several pandemic measures that he now regrets.
Governor acknowledges mistake
When asked what he would have done differently, Newsom said the early response treated the virus like a “Purell‑based crisis,” focusing on hand‑sanitizer shortages and price gouging rather than the virus itself. He added that the beach closures were among the decisions he wishes he could reverse, and he also expressed regret that the state’s largest public school systems stayed closed longer than necessary.
Conservative backlash erupts online
The clip quickly ignited a firestorm on social media. Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt wrote on X, “No, Gavin. It was insane then. We all told you it was insane then. You knew it was insane then. You’re just an insane person.” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon also reminded Newsom of a lawsuit she filed to reopen Orange County beaches, accusing the governor of knowingly closing them.
Commentators such as Benny Johnson of “The Benny Show” and comedian Adam Carolla joined the criticism, accusing Newsom of overreaching with mask mandates, vaccine‑card requirements, and even arresting a paddleboarder for alleged COVID risk. Fox News analyst Guy Benson echoed the sentiment, noting the governor’s admission came six years after the policy was implemented.
Policy context and prior actions
California was the first state to issue a statewide stay‑at‑home order on March 19, 2020, affecting nearly 40 million residents. The order, along with mask mandates, beach closures, and business restrictions, aimed to slow viral spread. Critics argue the measures were overly broad and unevenly enforced, pointing out that city beaches often remained open while state beaches stayed closed.
Newsom also faced scrutiny for attending an upscale dinner in November 2020 while his own restrictions were in place, a detail that opponents highlighted as hypocritical. The governor survived a 2021 recall election, but the recent admission has revived calls for greater accountability.
Broader implications
The governor’s acknowledgment arrives as debates continue over the legacy of pandemic policies nationwide. While some public‑health officials maintain that the restrictions saved lives, others, particularly in conservative circles, contend that the economic and personal‑freedom costs outweighed the benefits.
Fox News Digital reached the governor’s office for comment, but no response was provided at the time of publication.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
