On August 16, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s administration for directing U.S. soldiers to lay out a red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin during a summit in Alaska.
The move, which included a fighter jet flyover and enthusiastic applause, sparked widespread backlash after a viral image showed uniformed U.S. service members on their hands and knees preparing the ceremonial welcome.
Newsom’s press office labeled the act “disgusting,” igniting a firestorm of debate over the optics and implications of the event.
The summit, held on August 15, 2025, marked a controversial moment in U.S.-Russia relations, with Trump personally greeting Putin in Anchorage, per The Daily Beast.
The red carpet gesture, typically reserved for high-profile diplomatic honors, was seen by critics as an undue deference to the Russian leader, especially amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Newsom Expresses Outrage
Newsom, a prominent Democratic figure, took to X to express his outrage, stating, “The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America.”
His comments were part of a broader critique of Trump’s actions, which Newsom described as a “step toward authoritarianism,” as noted by The Daily Beast and several news outlets.
The backlash was amplified by posts on X, where users expressed dismay at the image of American soldiers kneeling to prepare the red carpet.
One user, @MacFearghus, called it a “traitorous” act, while others echoed Newsom’s sentiments, labeling the scene a “vulgar display” of weakness.
The controversy comes on the heels of other tensions between Newsom and Trump, including a legal battle over the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles to quell protests against immigration raids.
Newsom has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the federalization of the Guard without state consent violates legal norms.
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Political and Public Reactions
The Alaska summit also drew criticism from international observers.
Ukrainian officials expressed disappointment, with one source noting that Trump’s warm reception of Putin undermined U.S. support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The event highlighted a pattern of friction between Newsom and Trump, with the California governor previously accusing the president of “bending the knee” to Putin and comparing his actions to those of a “dictator.”
Trump defended the summit, claiming it was a necessary step to “straighten out” U.S.-Russia relations, and dismissed Newsom’s criticisms as politically motivated.
The president’s remarks followed a heated exchange where he suggested Newsom could face arrest for opposing federal immigration policies, a threat Newsom defiantly challenged, saying, “Just get it over with.”
The red carpet incident has fueled broader discussions about Trump’s foreign policy approach and his administration’s priorities.
Newsom’s vocal opposition, amplified by his legal and public challenges to Trump, underscores a deepening divide between state and federal leadership.
As the controversy unfolds, posts on X reflect a polarized public sentiment, with some praising Newsom’s defiance and others supporting Trump’s diplomatic overtures.
The episode raises critical questions about the role of symbolic gestures in diplomacy and the balance of power between state and federal authorities.
With Newsom vowing to continue his legal fight against Trump’s policies, the fallout from the Alaska summit is likely to reverberate in both domestic and international arenas, according to The Daily Beast.
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