Taking a jab at Trump’s controversial plan to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, California Governor Gavin Newsom Mocks Donald Trump with PM Modi, Putin, Xi Jinping SCO Summit Video. At the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, a lighthearted moment between three powerful leaders Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping became the center of an unexpected political jab in the United States.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and vocal critic of President Donald Trump, seized on the moment to take a swipe at Trump’s controversial plan to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago. Newsom shared the video of the leaders’ interaction on X (formerly Twitter) with a sarcastic caption aimed directly at the President: “But have no fear, Trump is sending the Guard to Chicago.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom Mocks Donald Trump with PM Modi, Putin, Xi Jinping SCO Summit Video
Newsom’s Dig at Trump
The post quickly went viral, drawing attention not only to the camaraderie between Modi, Putin, and Xi but also to the rising tensions in the U.S. over Trump’s immigration and crime policies.
In the video, Modi and Putin can be seen holding hands as they walked toward Xi, before the three stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing a laugh.
For Newsom, the symbolism provided an opportunity to highlight his opposition to Trump’s domestic agenda.
Newsom has increasingly positioned himself as a national political figure. Seen as a potential White House contender in 2028, the California Governor has sharpened his rhetoric against Trump, particularly as the President expands federal authority in cities across the U.S.
Trump’s Chicago Crackdown Plan
President Trump recently announced plans to deploy National Guard troops and federal officers to Chicago, citing the city’s crime rate and its “sanctuary city” status.
“We’re going to make our cities very, very safe. I think Chicago will be our next, and then we’ll help with New York,” Trump told reporters last week.
This followed his earlier decision to deploy nearly 5,000 troops to Los Angeles to enforce immigration raids and restore “law and order.”
Similar actions in Washington, D.C., where Trump federalized the local police force, sparked intense backlash from city officials and community leaders.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sharply criticized the move, accusing Trump of attempting to manipulate or even halt the 2026 midterm elections.
“He will just claim that there is some problem with an election, and then he’s got troops on the ground that can take control,” Pritzker warned.
White House Response
The White House dismissed such criticism, accusing Democrats of playing politics instead of addressing crime. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson issued a sharp rebuke:
“Chicago’s residents would be much safer if Governor Pritzker actually did his job and addressed his crime problem instead of trying to be a Resistance Lib hero.”
Trump himself has long singled out Chicago as a “disaster” plagued by crime. Yet official data shows that most categories of violent crime in the city have actually declined this year.
Homeland Security Crackdowns
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has intensified immigration enforcement across major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago. Since June 6, DHS reported over 5,000 arrests in the Los Angeles area alone.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the operations, telling CBS News’ Face the Nation that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity would expand nationwide, including in Chicago.
Although a federal court temporarily blocked racial profiling practices in Los Angeles, the Trump administration has appealed the order to the Supreme Court.
SCO Summit Highlights
While the political battle raged in the U.S., the SCO Summit in Tianjin showcased global diplomacy.
- Xi Jinping announced plans to establish a development bank under the SCO framework.
- China pledged $1.4 billion in loans over three years to member states.
- A new platform for green and energy industry cooperation was introduced.
The 25th SCO Summit brought together more than 20 world leaders and 10 heads of international organizations, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Founded in 2001, the SCO now includes 10 member states, 2 observers, and 14 dialogue partners, representing nearly half of the world’s population and a quarter of the global economy.
Modi, Putin, Xi: Symbolic Unity
One of the summit’s most talked-about moments was the warm exchange between Modi, Putin, and Xi.
At a time when global tensions run high particularly due to ongoing conflicts and trade disputes the display of unity carried symbolic weight.
For India, the summit also carried economic stakes. Trump recently imposed steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods, targeting purchases of Russian oil.
While India denounced the tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable,” Beijing was spared similar penalties, highlighting the complex dynamics of Trump’s trade policy.
Domestic and Global Reactions
Newsom’s jab at Trump resonated differently depending on the audience.
- In the U.S., Democrats rallied around Newsom’s post as a bold pushback against federal overreach. Republicans, meanwhile, accused him of trivializing national security.
- Globally, the SCO video drew attention to the shifting balance of power, with non-Western leaders emphasizing cooperation while U.S. politics remain deeply polarized.
The Bigger Picture: Newsom vs Trump
Newsom’s public feud with Trump reflects a broader struggle over the direction of American politics.
While Trump leans heavily on a law-and-order agenda and strict immigration controls, Newsom positions himself as a defender of civil liberties and state sovereignty.
Political analysts note that Newsom’s jabs are not just about opposing Trump they are about shaping his own image for 2028.
By aligning himself with international symbolism, Newsom is signaling that he sees his political future on the global stage.
Conclusion
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to mock President Donald Trump by sharing a video of PM Modi, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping at the SCO Summit 2025 illustrates how international events can echo in U.S. domestic politics.
As Trump doubles down on deploying National Guard troops to cities like Chicago, his critics warn of authoritarian overreach. Meanwhile, Newsom, a potential presidential contender, continues to sharpen his attacks using both wit and symbolism to position himself as Trump’s chief adversary.
With U.S. midterm elections in 2026 on the horizon and the 2028 presidential race not far behind, the clash between Newsom and Trump is likely to intensify, making moments like the SCO Summit video more politically charged than ever.
Also Read: India at the SCO Summit: One Platform, Multiple Messages
