California Governor Gavin Newsom has waded into the heated national debate over free speech by posting a satirical decree “indefinitely suspending” the musician Kid Rock from performing in the state. The tongue-in-cheek post, which mocks Kid Rock‘s “horrific music,” is a direct parody of President Donald Trump‘s style and a commentary on the recent, real-life suspension of Jimmy Kimmel‘s late-night talk show.
The “proclamation” was made on Friday, September 19, via Newsom‘s official X (formerly Twitter) account. Mimicking the all-caps, declarative style often used by his political rival, Newsom targeted the musician, who is a prominent and longtime supporter of President Trump.
Newsom‘s full post reads:
“BECAUSE OF HIS HORRIFIC MUSIC, CALIFORNIA WILL INDEFINITELY SUSPEND KID ROCK FROM PERFORMING IN THE GOLDEN STATE. YOU’RE WELCOME! — GCN“
The post is a satirical response to the serious and ongoing controversy surrounding the late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live. Kimmel‘s show was suspended indefinitely by ABC earlier this week following apparent pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over the host’s commentary regarding the recent ki**ing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. That real-life suspension has sparked a fierce national debate about the First Amendment and the potential for political pressure to influence media content.
Kid Rock, a close ally of President Trump, was chosen as the subject of the satire to highlight what Newsom and other critics view as an overreach of executive influence. The governor’s post uses a rock and roll figure to make a sharp political point in the latest salvo of the ongoing and bitter feud between the two political rivals.
Newsom and Kid Rock have have sparred on social media earlier, with governor saying: ‘I HATE KID ROCK !!! — GCN‘
BECAUSE OF HIS HORRIFIC MUSIC, CALIFORNIA WILL INDEFINITELY SUSPEND KID ROCK FROM PERFORMING IN THE GOLDEN STATE. YOU’RE WELCOME! — GCN
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 20, 2025
I HATE KID ROCK !!! — GCN
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 19, 2025
