California Governor Gavin Newsom recently claimed that his office has never used the term “Latinx,” but a review of public records and official documents contradicts that statement.

During a podcast interview with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, Newsom denied any association with the term, saying, “By the way, not one person ever in my office has ever used the word Latinx. I just didn’t even know where it came from. What are people talking about?”

On his new podcast, Gavin Newsom pretends to be confused by Latinx…

Gavin Newsom: So is it the Latinx stuff? By the way not one person in my office has ever used the word LatinX. Where did it come from. What are people talking about?

Also Gavin Newsom: Politicians are trying… pic.twitter.com/hV5DS5WQ7J

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) March 6, 2025

Elon Musk Called This Financial News 'Terrifying'

However, multiple instances of Newsom and his administration using the term have surfaced, including social media posts, official government documents, and public statements.

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In a 2019 post on his official X account, Newsom used the term while referencing a study on childhood poverty.

Children in Poverty:
31% Latinx
26% Black
14% AAPI
12% White

This is the result of unequal access to opportunity. https://t.co/ipLVJdv1sL

— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) April 25, 2019

On his personal account, he again used “Latinx” during the COVID-19 pandemic to highlight disparities among different communities.

“#COVID19 disproportionately impacts the Latinx community,” Newsom tweeted.

“Rising rates in the Central Valley are concerning. CA is making $52M available to increase testing, contact tracing and quarantine efforts, and sending strike teams to 4 counties with increased cases and hospitalizations.”

#COVID19 disproportionately impacts the Latinx community.

Rising rates in the Central Valley are concerning. CA is making $52M available to increase testing, contact tracing and quarantine efforts, and sending strike teams to 4 counties with increased cases and hospitalizations.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 27, 2020

In 2023, Newsom criticized Republican policies, stating, “The Republican Party has politicians that are banning not assault rifles, but the word Latinx.”

His administration has also used the term in official communications. Brooks Allen, Newsom’s education policy advisor, referenced “Latinx American Studies” in a 2023 letter discussing California’s Ethnic Studies curriculum.

The term appeared in a 2020 press release promoting a discussion between Newsom and singer Becky G about youth voter engagement, which was posted on the governor’s official website.

Another 2020 government report discussing minority-owned businesses during the pandemic stated:

“Minority-owned businesses are disproportionately impacted: the number of active businesses owned by African-Americans dropped by 41%, Latinx by 32%, Asians by 25%, and immigrants by 36%.”

In 2021, the term was used in a campaign addressing educational challenges related to pandemic-era school closures:

“The campaign will reach out to parents in areas hardest hit by the pandemic – especially Latinx, African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander parents of school-aged children – with $25 million from AB 86 to support the safe opening of schools during the next fiscal year.”

The word also appears on the governor’s official web page for First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s “Farm to School” program:

“Today, over 2 million children in California do not have access to healthy, whole foods, with Black and Latinx children reporting food insecurity twice that of children in white households.”

Additionally, the Governor’s Council for Career Education website includes the term in its “Research Findings Summary” section.

Michael Wiafe, a former education policy associate for Newsom and current assistant deputy cabinet secretary, used “Latinx” in a 2021 social media post about economic recovery and higher education access.

Economic recovery with higher education that is more equitable, resilient and coordinated to improve outcomes for Black, Latinx, API, Indigenous and Adult learner students who disproportionately are denied access and impacted by the pandemic..
We need it. https://t.co/yFZLlflkHQ

— Michael Wiafe, MPP (@MWiafe1) February 16, 2021

Following Fox News Digital’s findings, a spokesperson for Newsom’s office responded, acknowledging that the term has been used but downplaying its prevalence.

“Latinx is not a term that is widely used in his Administration. Some staff have used it from time to time,” the spokesperson said.

The term “Latinx” has long been controversial within the Hispanic community.

A Pew Research Center study from 2024 found that 51% of Hispanic American adults were unfamiliar with the term, while only 4% actually use it.

Many Latinos and Hispanics consider it unnecessary or even offensive, as reported by NBC News.

Despite the governor’s recent denial, public records show that the term has been used multiple times by his administration and within state government communications.

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