Snopes - Gavin Newsom said he's sending knee pads to anyone 'bending the knee' to Trump

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Claim: California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he's sending knee pads to CEOs, universities and Republicans who were "bending the knee" to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Rating: Correct Attribution

A video of California Gov. Gavin Newsom apparently saying he would send knee pads to people and organizations like CEOs, universities and Republicans who were "bending the knee" to Trump circulated on social media in late October 2025. Social media users posted the video on sites like Instagram (archived) and Facebook (archived). One X post (archived) of the video received over 70,000 views.

Link to tweet

The clip of Newsom saying the quote was said to come from a press event held during the three-day "2025 California Economic Summit" that took place in Stockton from Oct. 21 to Oct. 23, 2025. The annual summit featured several speakers, including Newsom, on Oct. 22. Newsom posted the clip to his official X account (archived) with the following caption:

COMING SOON — NEW KNEE PADS FOR ALL CEO's, UNIVERSITIES, AND GOP BENDING THE KNEE TO DONALD TRUMP. YOUR KNEES LOOK VERY SORE FROM ALL YOUR GROVELING. THEY WILL EVEN BE SIGNED BY YOUR DEAR LEADER SINCE YOU LOVE HIM SO MUCH! YOU ARE WELCOME!!!!

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/gavin-newsom-knee-pads/

[ananda]

1. Good one!

[BlueKota]

2. That's funny and sad all at the same time.

Sad because he is right, too many in this country are kneeling to tsf.

[bronxiteforever]

7. +1 agree. Never seen so many cowards in my life.

[Champp]

3. #RepublicanKneePads going viral

spineless whiney Repubican wimps have turned their backs on America

[littlemissmartypants]

4. 🤓

The "patriot site" Newsom mentioned seemed to refer to his online store, the "Patriot Shop." As of Oct. 24, the signed knee pads appeared (archived) on that website with a price of $0.00 and a "sold out" label. The description of the listing read, in part, "For all your groveling to Trump needs -- now in Republican red. For the low low price of your soul."

For further reading, Snopes investigated the authenticity of an image that Newsom's press office posted of Trump with an abnormally puffy face.

[twodogsbarking]

5. Maybe some Chapstick too. Too much kissing.

[soldierant]

6. There's a brand alled ChopSaver which I think

is only available through the internet. Ir was designed by a trumpet player for wind and brass instrument players, who really give their lips a workout. It's good, non-toxic stuff, but I'm a (former) violin player and don't need anything quite that good, and don't care for the taste. But if I were kissing what they are kissing (not that I ever would), it's what I'd look to to stay as safe as possible.

[twodogsbarking]

9. A full body condom.

[Celerity]

10. ...

[SunSeeker]

8. K & R