California Gov. Gavin Newsom faced renewed criticism on Thursday after a video clip resurfaced in which he urged Democrats to "fight fire with fire" and said, "we’re gonna punch these sons of bitches in the mouth," comments made weeks before conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot while speaking at a university event.
The remarks come from an Aug. 20 appearance on The Siren, in which Newsom criticized Republicans who he said were "cowering" to former President Donald Trump over a recent Texas redistricting plan. The clip circulated widely on social media after Kirk was shot Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University; Kirk later died of his injuries, and authorities said the shooter remained at large as of early Thursday and a motive had not been publicly disclosed.
Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, condemned the attack as "disgusting, vile and reprehensible" and urged Americans to "reject political violence in every form." He posted on X that he had recently sat with Kirk and that he admired Kirk’s "passion and commitment to debate," calling the shooting a reminder of the importance of civil discourse.
Conservative commentators and some social media users seized on the resurfaced clip to argue that the governor’s rhetoric was dangerous. Breitbart editor Joel Pollak wrote that the remarks "were bad at the time and are worse today," and other posts questioned whether calls for confrontational language could incite violence. Journalists and commentators from outlets across the political spectrum noted the timing of the clip’s circulation in the wake of Kirk’s shooting.
The Aug. 20 segment focused on opposition to a Texas map that added five congressional districts, a development Newsom said required a forceful Democratic response. In the clip he said, "So, I’m sorry. I know some people’s sensibilities. I respect and appreciate that. But right now, with all due respect, we’re walking down a damn different path," and added that Democrats would "fight fire with fire."
Newsom’s office reiterated his condemnation of the shooting and emphasized his call for nonviolent political engagement. In a separate post, the governor wrote that "the best way to honor Charlie’s memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse," and that ideas in a democracy should be settled with words, not violence.
Conservative outlets and social accounts highlighted the resurfaced footage, with some observers pointing to the proximity of the clip to the timing of Kirk’s death as evidence that political rhetoric can have real-world consequences. Others cautioned against drawing a direct causal link while the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
Kirk, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, had appeared with Newsom in a March interview posted to YouTube. The two had engaged in a recorded conversation that was publicized before the August remarks drew renewed attention.
Law enforcement officials have not publicly released details about a suspect or a motive. Political leaders of both parties have historically condemned political violence, and the debate over the influence of heated political rhetoric on violent acts has intensified whenever attacks target public figures. Newsom’s resurfaced comments and his subsequent statements opposing violence were likely to be scrutinized further as investigators continue their work.
The shooting has renewed discussions about the tone of political discourse ahead of the 2026 midterm and 2028 presidential cycles, and about how public figures should balance forceful political messaging with calls for nonviolence. Newsom’s critics say his language was irresponsible; his supporters point to his denouncement of the attack and his calls for continued, nonviolent engagement across ideological lines.