ORANGE FUNGUS: Newsom Mocks Trump's 'Horror' Passport Plan, Dishes Out a New Nickname

In a pointed critique, Gavin Newsom took to X to express his disdain for the newly announced limited-edition passport featuring Donald Trump’s portrait, suggesting it could induce “screams of horror” among travelers.

The California governor, known for his rivalry with the former president, wasted no time in branding Trump with a new nickname following the White House's confirmation of the passport plan on Tuesday. “I, GAVIN C. NEWSOM, WILL NOT ALLOW DONALD’S PHOTO IN OUR PASSPORTS. TRAVELING IS STRESSFUL ENOUGH,” he declared in a post that echoed Trump’s signature all-caps style.

Newsom continued, “WE DON’T NEED TO SCREAM IN HORROR OR LOSE OUR APPETITE EVERY TIME WE OPEN OUR PASSPORTS. THE JOY OF TRAVEL IS ESCAPISM. HOW CAN WE ESCAPE IF THE ORANGE FUNGUS IS ALWAYS AMONG U.S.?” His comments reflect a broader discontent with the proposed design, which some critics have likened to North Korean propaganda.

Responses on social media varied, with one user quipping, “It’s okay, you can always choose one of the optional collector’s editions,” sharing mock designs featuring infamous dictators like Vladimir Putin and Joseph Stalin.

Another user remarked, “If it looks like a dictator, walks like a dictator, it’s a dictator,” underscoring the growing unease surrounding the initiative.

Political analyst Jeff Storobinsky weighed in, predicting that within a year, it might become commonplace for American homes to display Trump’s image as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Traditionally, U.S. passports have showcased historical landmarks rather than the likeness of any sitting president. Edward Kolla, a history professor at Georgetown University, described the White House's decision as “wacky,” noting that no modern U.S. passport has featured a sitting president's image and that foreign passports typically avoid depicting heads of state.

Fox News reported that these Trump-themed passports are set to debut alongside festivities marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in July.

A White House spokesperson stated, “President Trump’s new patriotic passport design provides yet another great way Americans can join in the spectacular celebrations for America’s 250th birthday.” They further emphasized that events like the UFC250 Fight and Freedom250 Grand Prix would complement this new passport initiative, framing it as part of a broader revival of national pride during this historic semiquincentennial celebration.