Gavin Newsom hits Trump with new nickname ‘The Nodfather’ after viral 'Dozy Don' jab

Gavin Newsom’s press office mocked Donald Trump’s sleepy moments again, escalating their nickname feud from 'Dozy Don' to 'The Nodfather'
PUBLISHED NOV 9, 2025
Donald Trump was captured with his eyes closed in a collage shared by Gavin Newsom’s team nicknaming him ‘The Nodfather' (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Donald Trump was captured with his eyes closed in a collage shared by Gavin Newsom’s team nicknaming him ‘The Nodfather' (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: California Governor Gavin Newsom's office has once again mocked President Donald Trump's tendency to appear drowsy in public, this time coining the nickname “The Nodfather." The latest jab was shared through a collage of images on X showing Trump with his eyes closed, styled in the iconic 'The Godfather' font.

The governor’s press office posted the image on Saturday, November 8, simply captioning it: “saw this. had to share.”



The collage showed Trump seemingly nodding off at several public events, accompanied by the bold title “The Nodfather.” 

Donald Trump’s new nickname goes from 'Dozy Don' to 'The Nodfather'

“The Nodfather” follows an earlier nickname from Newsom’s office, “Dozy Don,” a pointed jab that mirrored Trump’s own fondness for alliterative insults. Just two days before the new post, on November 7, the governor’s team declared “DOZY DON IS BACK” on X.



That post included an image and video of Trump appearing tired during a White House event with Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The event, held in the Oval Office, focused on lowering prices for weight loss drugs under Medicare and Medicaid. Trump’s eyes appeared to close several times as Oz spoke.

‘Dozy don’ nickname used after 2020 claim

Newsom’s office first used the “Dozy Don” label in September after Trump repeated unverified claims that he “won in 2020 big” during his second state visit to the United Kingdom. 



At that time, the governor’s office posted a Fox News clip on X, captioning it: “DOZY DON WHO LOOKS AWFUL RECENTLY (‘THE HANDS’) IS LYING ON LIVE TELEVISION!” The post referenced Trump’s visible fatigue and made jabs about his physical appearance. 

Donald Trump’s health under scrutiny amid visible ailments

The jokes about Trump's drowsiness come amid ongoing scrutiny of his health following his UK trip, where cameras captured his heavily made-up right hand and swollen ankles. The makeup appeared to conceal a bruise, sparking speculation about his physical condition. 

Donald Trump's right hand had a makeup patch seemingly covering a bruise (Screengrab/C-SPAN)
Donald Trump’s right hand had a visible makeup patch that seemed to cover a bruise (Screengrab/C-SPAN)

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said the bruising was from “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” part of a “standard cardiovascular prevention regime.” 

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a White House Faith Office luncheon in the State Dining Room at the White House on July 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Pastor Paula White-Cain, the head of the White House Faith Office, hosted the luncheon with members of government and faith-based and community organizations. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Donald Trump delivered remarks during a White House Faith Office luncheon on July 14, 2025 in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Trump’s health has faced questions since July, when he was photographed watching the FIFA Club World Cup final with visibly swollen ankles. The White House later confirmed that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common circulatory condition among older adults that affects blood flow in the legs, a common condition in older people where leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Joy Reid argued Republicans are exploiting Minaj’s influence for Black cultural credibility while ignoring issues affecting her community
38 minutes ago
Pilot shortages and staffing decisions reportedly left deputies unable to launch thermal aircraft when Guthrie was first reported missing
3 hours ago
Kathryn Ruemmler served as principal deputy White House counsel and White House Counsel to former President Barack Obama
3 hours ago
The emails were exchanged between Jeffrey Epstein and researcher Joseph Thakuria, who was working as a senior doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital
4 hours ago
The animated AI video referenced the Obamas as apes while repeating debunked election claims, sparking online backlash
4 hours ago
President tours historic White House quarters, says building is being 'properly cared for'
11 hours ago
'I’m angrier probably than I’ve ever been and more turned on to the need to do what we’re doing,' Jamie Lee Curtis said of the current situation
21 hours ago
A 2017 email from Epstein to Gates’ advisor alleges the billionaire’s former Russian mistress struggled financially after their relationship ended
22 hours ago
The FBI and the Department of Justice Inspector General reportedly reached differing conclusions after reviewing the same video
23 hours ago
Mark Ruffalo said Kevin O'Leary attacked Billie Eilish for 'saying something that resonates with 100’s of millions of people the world'
1 day ago