Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is spreading misinformation ahead of Vice President JD Vance’s visit to California’s Camp Pendleton on Saturday—falsely claiming an amphibious demonstration would shut down I-5 and that U.S. troops wouldn’t be paid.
Newsom and his team amplified an anonymously sourced MeidasTouch article falsely claiming the White House would close parts of I-5 for Vice President JD Vance’s Marine Corps event during the No Kings Protests, causing “chaos, gridlock, and outrage” amid the shutdown. Newsom’s press office reposted the MeidasTouch article on X, calling the event “an absurd show of force” and falsely claiming U.S. troops wouldn’t be paid during the Democrat-driven shutdown.
After his press office circulated the anonymous report, Newsom personally echoed the false claim about the I-5 closure, amplifying the misinformation.
“Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military,” Newsom wrote, before incorrectly claiming the administration is not paying America’s troops.
What actually happened: President Trump had directed War Secretary Pete Hegseth hours before the article’s release to ensure troops were paid during the shutdown. The White House Office of Management and Budget confirmed Tuesday that military and federal law enforcement salaries would continue, and the Marine Corps also refuted Newsom’s false claim.
This would be an absurd show of force, and totally uncalled for during a government shutdown when members of the military cannot even get a paycheck. https://t.co/hG3EI1FMwT
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) October 15, 2025
🚨This is complete fake news. The Marine Corps said they are NOT shutting down the I-5 highway and that the event at Camp Pendleton is a training exercise.
Also, President Trump IS paying the troops despite Chuck Schumer’s efforts to hold their salaries hostage. https://t.co/UEUHWGF9Ei pic.twitter.com/PC6Jmwqlm3
— William Martin (@VPCommsDir) October 16, 2025
Soon after, the Marine Corps shared a press release confirming that Saturday’s event would not shut down the highway, stating: “The force training activities planned ensure our readiness to defend the Homeland and protect our Nation’s interests abroad against emergent and unprecedented challenges today and in the years ahead. All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols. No public highways or transportation routes will be closed.”
🚨This is complete fake news. The Marine Corps said they are NOT shutting down the I-5 highway and that the event at Camp Pendleton is a training exercise.
Also, President Trump IS paying the troops despite Chuck Schumer’s efforts to hold their salaries hostage. https://t.co/UEUHWGF9Ei pic.twitter.com/PC6Jmwqlm3
— William Martin (@VPCommsDir) October 16, 2025
The Marine Corps noted that the capabilities demonstration will be via land, air, and sea. Additionally, the event will conclude with a Del Mar Beach celebration honoring the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday on November 10.
Vance’s press secretary, Taylor Van Kirk, admonished Newsom for pushing falsehoods in a statement to Breitbart:
“Governor Newsom is deliberately spreading Fake News to Californians to fearmonger and score cheap political points. Vice President Vance is eager to be in California on Saturday celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Corps alongside United States Marines who, despite the Democrats’ shutdown, will continue to receive pay thanks to President Trump’s hard work.”
