Newsom Mocks ICE Barbie for Thanking Trump for the Weather

California Governor Gavin Newsom drew attention online after posting a sarcastic message suggesting that former President Donald Trump now controls the weather. His remark followed a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday in which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem thanked Trump for what she called an unusually quiet hurricane season.

During the meeting, Noem joked that the nation had made it through hurricane season without a single storm making landfall, telling Trump, You kept the hurricanes away. We appreciate that. Laughter followed before she shifted to praising FEMA, claiming the agency had been distributing resources 150 percent faster than ever.

Newsom later shared a clip of the exchange on X, captioning it with a pointed ICYMI: Trump controls the weather.

The 2025 hurricane season, which ran from June 1 through November 30, ended without any hurricanes reaching U.S. shoresa first in a decade. The calm season proved fortunate amid significant turmoil inside FEMA throughout the year. Employees had repeatedly warned Trump that proposed cuts and restructuring efforts could leave the country vulnerable to a disaster on the scale of Hurricane Katrina.

Earlier in 2025, Trump had suggested dramatically reducing FEMAs role and shifting disaster responsibilities to individual states. His initial FEMA director, Cameron Hamilton, was dismissed in May after publicly opposing the plan. Staffing reductions and efficiency initiatives further hindered the agencys response capabilities, issues that became glaringly apparent after catastrophic July floods in Texas claimed more than 100 lives.

In the aftermath of those floods, FEMAs acting administrator, David Richardsonappointed despite lacking disaster management experiencewas unreachable for a full day due to being on vacation with his work phone silenced. Under cost-cutting rules implemented at the time, major spending required his direct approval, delaying immediate action. The agency also lacked functioning call centers after firing its contracted operators, leaving affected residents unable to reach FEMA for assistance.

The delayed response prompted the resignation of FEMAs search and rescue chief, Ken Pagurek. Richardson himself stepped down in mid-November after only six months in the role. On Monday, FEMA installed its third administrator of the year, Karen Evans.

While Noems comment about Trump preventing hurricanes was made in jest, the suggestion echoes a recurring conspiracy theory embraced by some political figures claiming the government can manipulate the weather.

Analysis: Governor Newsom’s Sarcastic Comment Highlights Underlying Issues

California Governor Gavin Newsom's sarcastic comment about former President Donald Trump “controlling the weather” drew attention online, but it is more than just a passing joke. The remark, posted on X after a Cabinet meeting, reflects a deeper tension between the public's perception of government responses to disasters and the internal turmoil facing federal agencies like FEMA.

Newsom's comment came in the wake of a lighthearted exchange during the meeting, where Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem jokingly thanked Trump for an unusually quiet hurricane season. While her words were likely intended to bring levity, Newsom's retort, “Trump controls the weather,” was a pointed critique. It underscores the unusual circumstances surrounding the 2025 hurricane season, which ended without any hurricanes making landfall in the U.S.—a first in a decade.

Despite the apparent success of the hurricane season, the year was marked by significant challenges within FEMA. The agency faced staffing cuts and restructuring efforts proposed under Trump’s leadership, which left the nation vulnerable to disaster. This was most evident following the deadly floods in Texas, where FEMA's delayed response became a major issue, culminating in the resignation of key officials. The ongoing internal struggles at FEMA raise questions about the effectiveness of the government’s disaster management strategy, especially in light of recent events.

While Noem’s comment was likely made in jest, Newsom’s sarcastic remark highlights the real-world implications of these political dynamics. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate around government intervention and the role of agencies like FEMA in disaster preparedness and response. The quiet hurricane season, while fortunate, does not obscure the systemic issues facing disaster management under the current administration.

Sources:

• Newsom Trolls ICE Barbie After She Thanks Trump for the Weather

Author: Grace Ellison
Grace Ellison is a journalist focusing on environmental issues and sustainability. She has experience publishing international reports and participating in documentary projects.