Newsom responds to claims he secretly helped fund bronze bust of himself

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vehemently denied claims that he secretly helped fund a nearly $100,000 bronze bust of himself that now sits inside San Francisco City Hall. A spokesperson for Newsom stated that the claims were “categorically false,” emphasizing that the project was independently proposed by a nonprofit and funded by private donors, not taxpayers.

The controversy stems from a new book titled “Fool’s Gold: The Radicals, Con Artists, and Traitors Who Killed the California Dream and Now Threaten Us All,” written by Susan Crabtree and Jedd McFatter. The book alleges that Newsom used “behested payments” from donors to aid in financing the statue. Specifically, two companies owned by Newsom reportedly contributed about $10,000 to a non-profit organization to support the creation of the bronze bust on a black granite base, commemorating Newsom’s tenure as mayor of San Francisco.

Newsom’s office refuted these claims, asserting that the contributions made by businesses tied to the Newsom family were modest and publicly disclosed. The office emphasized that the fundraising efforts for the bust were transparent and not orchestrated in secrecy. Furthermore, Newsom had previously stated that he was not involved in organizing the project and was unaware of the individuals behind the fundraising efforts.

The bronze bust, created by artist Bruce Wolfe, features a quote from Newsom that reflects on the universal desire for love and connection. Newsom’s office highlighted that the bust is displayed alongside those of other former San Francisco mayors, such as Willie Brown, Dianne Feinstein, and George Moscone.

Despite Newsom’s denial and the public disclosure of the project’s funding, the internet has been ablaze with criticism of the governor. Many social media users have expressed disdain for what they perceive as a display of vanity and wasteful spending on Newsom’s part.

Nevertheless, Newsom remains a prominent figure within the Democratic Party, having served as a surrogate for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during their 2024 campaign. Speculation has also arisen regarding Newsom’s potential presidential aspirations in 2028.

In conclusion, while the controversy surrounding the bronze bust of Gavin Newsom continues to stir debate, the governor maintains that the funding for the project was transparent and in line with standard practices in the city. The statue stands as a symbol of Newsom’s time as mayor of San Francisco, despite the mixed reactions it has garnered from the public.