Gavin Newsom slammed over $33K taxpayer-funded portrait as California faces budget troubles

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing backlash after including $33,000 for an official portrait of himself in the state’s proposed 2026-27 budget, even as lawmakers continue warning about budget deficits and rising living costs across the state.

The proposal quickly sparked criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, with opponents accusing Newsom of prioritizing self-image while Californians struggle with soaring housing costs, high gas prices and expensive healthcare services.

Gavin Newsom portrait proposal sparks criticism from lawmakers

The funding appears under a line item titled “Governor’s Portrait” in Newsom’s proposed budget.

According to the document, the money would go toward the “traditional painting of the Governor’s portrait” that would eventually hang inside the California State Capitol alongside portraits of previous governors.

The $33,000 would reportedly come from California’s General Fund at a time when lawmakers are discouraging new discretionary spending because of the state’s long-term financial challenges.

Republican State Sen. Suzette Valladares sharply criticized the proposal and questioned the timing behind it.

“Only in Sacramento would a governor look at struggling families and think, ‘You know what this moment needs? A painting of me,’” Valladares said.

Republican Assembly member Alexandra M. Macedo also mocked the idea while taking another shot at Newsom’s controversial high-speed rail project.

“At least future generations will have a painting to remember who kept spending billions carving a permanent scar through prime Central Valley farmland for a train that will never connect Northern and Southern California,” Macedo said.

Gavin Newsom faces scrutiny over $20M ‘Governors’ Legacies’ fund

The portrait controversy comes just days after another spending proposal in Newsom’s final budget drew criticism from lawmakers.

According to reports, the governor also included a vague $20 million “Governors’ Legacies” fund in his record-setting $349.9 billion budget plan.

The proposal would reportedly allow the administration to distribute money for projects honoring California’s living former governors, a group Newsom himself will soon join.

Critics from both parties questioned why the state was discussing legacy projects while residents continue struggling financially.

Democratic State Sen. Caroline Menjivar openly criticized the idea during a budget hearing.

“I do not care to recognize the legacy of governors past or present,” Menjivar said.

“I care about seniors having health insurance and seniors with disabilities having health insurance.”

Democratic State Sen. Christopher Cabaldon also questioned the lack of detail behind the proposal. 

“There’s really nothing here,” Cabaldon said. “There’s no proposal here to be responsive to.”

Newsom’s office defended the “Legacies” proposal, saying it would focus on honoring former governors from both political parties and would not directly benefit the current governor.

However, Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to criticism surrounding the portrait funding itself.

Gavin Newsom’s past public tributes resurface amid backlash

The backlash has also revived conversations around Newsom’s past public tributes.

In 2018, a bronze bust honoring Newsom’s time as San Francisco mayor was installed at City Hall before he became governor.

The sculpture reportedly cost around $100,000 and was funded through private donations connected to businesses tied to Newsom.

Critics now argue that the latest portrait proposal adds to concerns about the governor’s focus on image and legacy-building.

“This governor’s vanity knows no bounds,” Republican State Sen. Brian Jones said.

“It’s truly unreal the brazen, egomaniacal behavior he continues to display.”

Jones also compared the proposal to the behavior of political leaders more focused on personal image than public concerns.

Meanwhile, supporters of the portrait note that California governors have traditionally had official portraits displayed in the Capitol after leaving office.

Former Gov. Jerry Brown famously commissioned a portrait in 1984 that lawmakers jokingly compared to something painted with “spilled ketchup and soy sauce.”

That portrait reportedly cost $13,000 at the time, which would equal roughly $41,000 today when adjusted for inflation.

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also commissioned his own portrait, though he reportedly paid for it privately.