{"id":2618661,"date":"2026-06-24T18:21:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T22:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newsom-and-becerra-mocked-for-mexican-restaurant-photo-op\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T18:22:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T22:22:58","slug":"newsom-and-becerra-mocked-for-mexican-restaurant-photo-op","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/newsom-and-becerra-mocked-for-mexican-restaurant-photo-op\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsom and Becerra mocked for Mexican restaurant photo op"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnewsom-and-becerra-mocked-for-mexican-restaurant-photo-op%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2618661&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Gov. Gavin Newsom adn Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra faced criticism on social media after posting photos from a seemingly staged, nearly empty Mexican restaurant in San Francisco, sparking allegations of a manufactured, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/photo-op-goes-bad-for-newsom-as-clueless-officials-also-disgrace-american-flag\/\" title=\"Photo Op Goes Bad for Newsom as Clueless Officials Also Disgrace American Flag\">photo-op event<\/a>. The images showed them shaking hands and sitting at a cleared table with only two water glasses, leading critics to accuse them of planning a staged appearance in a city they do not reside in. The Republican Party and others mocked the event, emphasizing that it did not reflect genuine engagement and contrasting it with other political figures who actively meet with constituents. <\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-arranges-meeting-between-putin-and-zelensky-with-trilateral-to-follow\/\" title=\"Trump arranges ... between Putin and Zelensky with trilateral to follow\">meeting reportedly focused<\/a> on california\u2019s housing crisis, economic issues, support for small businesses, safeguarding abortion rights, and resisting President Donald Trump\u2019s policies.Newsom has publicly endorsed Becerra and committed to campaigning for him. Meanwhile, Becerra&#8217;s political stature has unexpectedly risen after initial low polling, following issues within his Republican opponent\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n<p>The article also briefly discusses other political news, including the Republican primary victories in South carolina, Trump\u2019s endorsements in various states, and California\u2019s ongoing problems like homelessness and high living costs. The piece highlights ongoing political debates and the contrasting approaches of candidates across the spectrum.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1426\">Gavin Newsom <\/a>(D-CA) and Democratic gubernatorial nominee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1719\">Xavier Becerra<\/a> found themselves on the receiving end of social media ridicule Wednesday after posting photos from what critics described as a carefully staged meeting at a nearly empty Mexican restaurant in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/san-francisco\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1873\">San Francisco<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pair met at Tommy\u2019s Mexican Restaurant for their first in-person meeting since Becerra emerged from the crowded June 2 primary and secured Newsom\u2019s endorsement. Photos shared by both men showed them shaking hands inside the family-owned establishment and seated at a table that appeared to have been cleared of customers, with only two water glasses visible.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4621852\/south-carolina-republican-governor-runoff\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson wins GOP gubernatorial primary<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4620299\/trump-backs-both-candidates-south-carolina-runoff-pamela-evette-alan-wilson\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump backs both horses in South Carolina as governor races emerge as endorsement weak point<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4619854\/trump-endorses-john-james-michigan-governor\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump endorses John James in Michigan governor\u2019s race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their discussion purportedly focused on California\u2019s housing crisis, economic challenges, support for small businesses, protecting abortion rights, and pushing back against President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> agenda. Newsom has thrown his support behind Becerra and pledged to campaign for him throughout the general election.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Republicans quickly seized on the imagery.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey go to a restaurant in a city neither of them live in, clear out the customers, and not eat,\u201d the California Republican Party wrote on X. \u201cCalifornians are tired of manufactured photo ops with do-nothing, all-talk politicians while our state gets more expensive and worse to live in. In contrast, Steve Hilton is actually out meeting with people, hearing from them, and working to address their needs. The choice couldn\u2019t be clearer this November.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">They go to a restaurant in a city neither of them live in, clear out the customers, and not eat.<br \/>Californians are tired of manufactured photo ops with do-nothing, all-talk politicians while our state gets more expensive and worse to live in.<br \/>In contrast <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SteveHiltonx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@SteveHiltonx<\/a> is actually\u2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vKTsbFmzum\">https:\/\/t.co\/vKTsbFmzum<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6o9JuuzEpa\">pic.twitter.com\/6o9JuuzEpa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 California Republican Party (@CAGOP) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CAGOP\/status\/2069826808933941628?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Others piled on. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">User Wendy O <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CryptoWendyO\/status\/2069847330455736388\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CryptoWendyO\/status\/2069847330455736388\">wrote<\/a>, \u201cThis is not a flex,\u201d while user Jeff Edmondson <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TopFool4050\/status\/2069868760232780130\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TopFool4050\/status\/2069868760232780130\">posted<\/a>, \u201cThe only thing you and Gavs have done for me is force me to leave my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aoc-ditched-amazon-workers-rally-over-security-fears-weeks-before-parading-at-600-person-met-gala\/\" title=\"AOC Ditched Amazon Workers\u2019 Rally Over \u2018Security\u2019 Fears Weeks Before Parading At 600-Person Met Gala\">home state due<\/a> to affordability.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The criticism comes as Becerra continues an unlikely political resurgence. Less than two months before the primary, the former Biden administration health secretary was polling in the single digits. His fortunes changed dramatically after former Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >gubernatorial campaign imploded amid allegations<\/a> of sexual misconduct and assault. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becerra, 68, enters the general election with one of the longest resumes in California politics. He served in the state Assembly, spent nearly a quarter-century representing Los Angeles in Congress, was California attorney general, and later joined former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"471\">Joe Biden\u2019s <\/a>Cabinet as secretary of health and human services.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton, his Republican opponent, has spent the campaign crisscrossing California, arguing that nearly two decades of Democratic control have contributed to rising homelessness, crime, drug addiction, human trafficking, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-everything-racist-four-everyday-things-the-biden-administration-presents-as-racist\/\" title=\"Is Everything Racist? Four Everyday Things The Biden Administration Presents As \u2018Racist\u2019\">high gas prices<\/a>, and the soaring cost of living.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4623965\/trump-gas-prices-price-gouging\/\">TRUMP CLAIMS GAS PRICES SHOULD BE AT $2.25, BLAMES PRICE GOUGING<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Wednesday, Hilton <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SteveHiltonx\/status\/2069848390788124968\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SteveHiltonx\/status\/2069848390788124968\">posted a video<\/a> from a Texas gas station highlighting lower fuel prices.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are in Texas. Just filled up for $3.59,\u201d Hilton said. \u201cIn LA on Monday, it was $8.59. Californians: It\u2019s not the Iran war. It\u2019s not \u2018Trump.\u2019 It\u2019s Democrat policies that have given us the highest gas prices in America. You can have $3 gas, but you have to vote for it in November.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Newsom, Becerra face social media mockery over staged restaurant photo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2618662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26160733966131.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[24665,66144,3678,37943,5894],"class_list":["post-2618661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-becerra","tag-mexican-restaurant","tag-newsom","tag-photo-op","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26160733966131.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2618661"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2618666,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618661\/revisions\/2618666"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2618662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2618661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2618661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2618661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}