As violent anti-ICE riots erupted across Los Angeles on June 7, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom attended a high-end wine fundraiser in Napa Valley, raising questions about his leadership during a statewide crisis. According to a report by City Journal’s Christopher Rufo, Newsom was seen at the “Vineyard Vibes” event at the Odette Estate Winery, an upscale venue he co-founded in 2011.
The event supported the PlumpJack Foundation, led by Newsom’s sister, to benefit UCSF’s Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Promotional materials described the gathering as a summer kickoff, complete with live jazz and premium wines. Guests reportedly observed the governor mingling casually while news of escalating violence in Los Angeles dominated headlines.
The unrest in Los Angeles began on June 6, with rioters torching vehicles, breaking windows, and violently clashing with police. As tensions rose, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to restore order, citing “widespread lawlessness.”
Newsom’s office responded to criticism by defending his attendance as a tribute to his late mother, who died of breast cancer. “Let’s get the facts straight: this was a cancer research fundraiser — not a ‘wine party,’” Newsom stated. He deflected by attacking President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, accusing them of leisure activities while the crisis unfolded.
Critics pointed to the governor’s recurring pattern of elitist optics during times of crisis. In 2020, Newsom faced public backlash for dining at the French Laundry during COVID lockdowns, violating his own mandates. Rufo compared the two incidents, stating, “Newsom sips Cabernet while his state burns.”
Compounding the political fallout, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Trump administration retains authority over National Guard deployments in California, dealing another blow to the governor’s leadership.
