Gov. Gavin Newsom flew to Las Vegas on Friday to cheer on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl III against the Kansas City Chiefs, and used the game to take a subtle jab at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Newsom has it, but participating in a friendly bet and Governor of the opposing team's state In the past, he and Missouri's Republican governor, Mike Parson, have teamed up on charity projects. The two will sign Super Bowl merchandise and memorabilia and donate it to the Special Olympics, Newsom's office said.
Newsom's chosen charity is an attack on his political opponent, DeSantis. Mr. Newsom has frequently accused Mr. DeSantis of being a “bully” and is trying to block the Special Olympics from imposing vaccination requirements on at-risk athletes during the pandemic. The initiative has been publicly criticized. Newsom said his own late mother worked with the Special Olympics.
The governor's office announced Newsom's resignation in a news release filled with game puns, saying, “We're about to score another Super Bowl with Nevada.” R&B artist Usher will headline the halftime show, and Brock Purdy will quarterback the 49ers.
Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor, predicted his hometown team would win Sunday after losing to the Chiefs on the big stage in 2020. Mr. Newsom and Mr. Parson exchanged gifts that year.
Newsom spokeswoman Erin Mellon said the governor secured tickets through a friend who will be attending the game with him, but declined to name him. California limits the amount of gifts given to state and local officials from certain sources, but exceptions apply to family members and, in some cases, friends.
Newsome attended the NFC Championship Game in Santa Clara last month, talking with legendary 49ers receiver Jerry Rice on the sideline as the team defeated the Detroit Lions in a close 34-31 game. However, a photo was taken.
This time, Taylor Swift topped the list of celebrities expected to be in the stands and suites. Newsom defended Swift and his girlfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, in an interview on MSNBC that aired over the weekend, calling the Republican criticism “sad and pathetic.”
“Republicans looking down on and ignoring Taylor Swift are doing so at their peril.” Newsom announces hosting Jonathan Capehart . “What is her sin? What is her sin? She wants more people to vote.”
Kelsey, who appeared in a Pfizer ad encouraging Americans to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, and Swift, who supported Joe Biden in 2020 and frequently encouraged fans to register to vote, are both supporters of Donald Trump. It has been the subject of criticism and has become a hot topic. About a series of unproven and outlandish claims ahead of the presidential election.
Conspiracy theories have even led some conservatives to root for San Francisco, even though the city is usually maligned as a bitter symbol of runaway progressivism.
It is unclear whether Trump will attend the game. President Biden declined to do an interview with CBS News to air before the Super Bowl, saying President Trump would be “happy to take his place.” Mr. Biden does not plan to attend.
Newsome's attendance at NFL games has been controversial before. He and former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti were photographed without masks at the 2022 NFC Championship Game between the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
American society has largely returned to pre-pandemic behavior, and that shouldn't be an issue in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Staff writer Noah Bierman contributed to this report.
