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Top Golfer Torches Newsom For Massive California Fraud

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Phil Mickelson
Photo Credit: Peetlesnumber1, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Golfer Phil Mickelson ripped into California as President Donald Trump escalated claims of massive fraud against the blue-state.

The controversy exploded after the federal government froze all child care funding for Minnesota, following a viral video by YouTuber Nick Shirley alleging widespread abuse of daycare funding in Minneapolis.

The video accused roughly a dozen daycare centers, many reportedly operated by Somali residents, of collecting government money while providing no actual services.

The freeze immediately drew attention from the White House, with President Trump labeling Minnesota a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.”

Last week Trump warned that Minnesota’s problems paled in comparison to what he claimed was rampant fraud in California.

“There is more FRAUD in California than there is in Minnesota, if that is even possible,” Trump wrote on social media.

“When you add in Election Fraud, then they are tied for first. Two Crooked Governors, two Crooked States!” he added.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office responded with characteristic hostility, dismissing the president’s accusations.

Newsom’s press office labeled Trump “a deranged, habitual liar whose relationship with reality ended years ago.”

The governor’s office also pushed back by claiming Newsom has “blocked over $125 BILLION in fraud, arrested criminal parasites leaching off of taxpayers, and protected taxpayers from the exact kind of scam artists Trump celebrates, excuses, and pardons.”

As the war of words intensified, Mickelson stepped into the fight, backing Trump and attacking California’s leadership from the right.

The golf legend, a longtime Trump supporter, used social media to accuse state officials of destroying California from within.

“Every Californian owes a huge debt of gratitude to President Trump and the entire administration for overriding Gavin’s self destruction and sabotage of our state’s energy infrastructure,” Mickelson wrote. “CA fraud makes MN look like amateurs.”

He followed that message by signaling the battle was far from over. “Still much more to do in spite of our Governor but it’s a good start,” he added.

Mickelson then widened his critique, framing fraud as a political survival issue for Democrats.

“The dilemma for all Democrats is if you stop the fraud, illegal immigration, and voter fraud in CA, then Republicans win CA and have a huge majority throughout the country,” Mickelson wrote. “The Democrat party all but ends.”

His third post took a darker tone, questioning the role taxpayers play in a system he described as corrupt.

“Legitimate question. We know CA government commits $billions in fraud every year,” Mickelson wrote.

“When we pay our taxes knowing it is directly funding fraudulent entities, does that make us complicit?” he continued.

“Don’t pay and go to jail. Pay and you’re funding the biggest government fraud in the country.”

The criticism echoed ongoing concerns tied to California’s handling of public funds.

Federal investigations and reports have linked the state to extensive misuse of taxpayer money, particularly within unemployment and welfare programs.

According to the Department of Government Efficiency, California accounted for the majority of a reported $382 million in fraudulent unemployment payments made since 2020.

One report showed California responsible for $305 million in improper claims, including payments tied to implausible birthdates and individuals flagged on terrorist watchlists.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna also turned up the heat on Sacramento, calling alleged fraud levels “outrageous and appalling.”

Khanna said he has heard nonstop complaints from constituents alarmed by what he described as widespread “fraud, waste and abuse” in state government.

From his position on the House Oversight Committee, Khanna announced plans to pursue a bipartisan effort aimed at exposing and stopping state-level fraud.

“There needs to be full accountability for the waste and new leadership in Sacramento,” Khanna wrote on X.

“Taxpayers are owed an accounting of where every penny of their tax dollars are going –a detailed receipt,” he added.

California’s challenges have extended beyond financial scrutiny, with recovery efforts following devastating wildfires drawing renewed criticism.

Nearly a year after massive fires ripped through Los Angeles County, fewer than four percent of victims have rebuilt their homes.

Fires that broke out on Jan. 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades and Altadena destroyed roughly 16,000 structures and killed 31 residents.

Only about 500 homes are currently under construction, leaving most displaced residents still waiting to return.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass defended the pace of recovery, calling the rebuilding process one of the fastest in state history.

Comparing California’s progress to other disasters, Bass argued the numbers tell a different story.

“If you look at Hawaii, Hawaii right now, those fires were two years ago,” Bass said on the “At Our Table” podcast with Jaime Harrison.

“And they have about 300 homes that are being rebuilt. We have more than 300 homes being rebuilt in the Palisades right now.”

Bass acknowledged ongoing suffering while defending her administration’s response.

“It doesn’t make anybody feel wonderful for me to sit here and tell you that this is one of the fastest recovery and rebuilding efforts that the state of California has ever seen,” she said.

“But I do have to acknowledge the grief, the suffering, and the pain that people have gone through.”

She also accused unnamed actors of misleading the public about the city’s progress.

Bass claimed “opportunistic individuals” have “deliberately put out misinformation” and lies about rebuilding efforts.

A separate report published by the Los Angeles Times on New Year’s Eve alleged leadership failures within the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The report claimed department leaders engaged in “a campaign of secrecy” to avoid responsibility for mistakes tied to the fires.

The after-action report allegedly failed to disclose that crews were ordered to leave a smoldering area from a prior arson fire, which later reignited under high winds.

Trump seized on the mounting controversies Tuesday, announcing a formal investigation into California fraud.

“California, under Governor Gavin Newscum, is more corrupt than Minnesota, if that’s possible???” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“The Fraud Investigation of California has begun. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Trump later mocked Democratic leadership during remarks to congressional Republicans.

“Do you think Walz could pass a cognitive test?” Trump asked, referring to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “Do you think Kamala could? I don’t think Gavin could.”

He also revisited the Palisades fires, blaming water management decisions under Newsom.

“They cut it off, and then they have 25,000 houses burn down,” Trump said. “They don’t know why.”

Newsom fired back by blaming Trump’s immigration policy for delays in rebuilding efforts.

“Donald Trump’s reckless, inhumane immigration raids have destroyed communities and have had massive negative impacts on efforts to rebuild from the LA fires,” Newsom wrote on X. “His actions have been disastrous across the board.”

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