Overview
- The governor’s press office, which replied Wednesday, March 25, told Benny Johnson his team were the “biggest users” of Grindr after he posted about alleged fraud in California.
- Online reaction was swift as critics called the jab homophobic, including DOJ civil rights official Harmeet K. Dhillon, and some users urged firing the staffer who wrote it.
- A Newsom spokesperson defended the post and mocked critics, saying the office loves gay people and calling opponents “conservative snowflakes.”
- Reports note at least two earlier Grindr jabs from the same account, including “We’ll make sure Grindr servers are ready” in January and “stick to Grindr” last August.
- The exchange unfolded as House Republicans pursued a hospice‑fraud probe in California, and coverage ranged from conservative and LGBTQ outlets condemning the remark to Newsweek highlighting Newsom’s aggressive social‑media style and national profile.