California Gov. Gavin Newsom drew sharp backlash Tuesday after blaming President Donald Trump for high housing costs while sharing a chart that showed a massive increase during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
The attempted political jab quickly became a lesson in reading graphs.
Newsom, a Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate, posted on X about a report saying American homes are “now the most unaffordable in history.”
The accompanying graph tracked the income required to qualify for a median priced home from 2005 through 2026.
“Great work, @realDonaldTrump!” Newsom wrote, seeking to pin the affordability problem on the president.
Great work, @realDonaldTrump! https://t.co/89htQqPQCp
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 15, 2026
But users reviewing the graphic noticed that its largest climb occurred between 2021 and 2024, while Biden occupied the White House.
The chart did reach its highest level during Trump’s second administration.
Still, critics focused on the steep increase displayed during the Biden years, leaving Newsom facing ridicule for using a graph that appeared to undercut his own attack.
“Hey @GavinNewsom, who was president during the biggest uptick in home unaffordability?” the Libs of TikTok account asked.
Hey @GavinNewsom, who was president during the biggest uptick in home unaffordability? https://t.co/vYjancsIlb pic.twitter.com/RoofYSWwup
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 15, 2026
Meteorologist Chris Martz delivered an equally blunt assessment of the governor’s interpretation.
“Evidently, @GavinNewsom doesn’t know how to read graphs. Housing prices skyrocketed under Joe Biden’s presidency,” Martz wrote.
Evidently, @GavinNewsom doesn’t know how to read graphs. Housing prices skyrocketed under Joe Biden’s presidency. https://t.co/UIsLFvVNOP pic.twitter.com/w813wvMLUp
— Chris Martz (@ChrisMartzWX) September 16, 2026
The criticism continued as users highlighted California’s own affordability troubles under Newsom.
OutKick writer Ian Miller noted that California is the country’s most unaffordable state for buying a house and said conditions had worsened since Newsom took office.
Miller also criticized the media for failing to challenge the governor’s statement.
California is the most unaffordable state in the country to buy a house, and it’s only gotten worse since Gavin Newsom took over
And no one in the media will call him out for saying this https://t.co/i83qd6G7xU
— Ian Miller (@ianmSC) September 15, 2026
California Post opinion editor Joel Pollak wrote, “You would be ashamed if they broke it down by state.”
You would be ashamed if they broke it down by state. https://t.co/wfYz1tuCXr
— Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) September 15, 2026
Actor Doug Davidson similarly told the governor, “Gavin, I guess you can’t read a graph. The biggest spike was before DJT took office.”
Gavin, I guess you can’t read a graph. The biggest spike was before DJT took office. https://t.co/rgD9pzl7RD
— Doug Davidson (@DougDavidsonYR) September 15, 2026
Author Jens Heycke mocked Newsom’s apparent graph reading skills and linked the episode to his possible national ambitions.
“Aspiring presidential candidate Gavin Newsom demonstrates that he is unable to read a simple graph. This level of numeric and economic illiteracy is disqualifying,” Heycke wrote.
Aspiring Presidential candidate Gavin Newsom demonstrates that he is unable to read a simple graph. This level of numeric and economic illiteracy is disqualifying. https://t.co/aJViZhFtQe pic.twitter.com/FXObaUMjwT
— Jens Heycke (ينس هايكة / יֶנְס הַיְקֶה) (@JensHeycke) September 15, 2026
Other users compared Newsom’s post with a Democratic Party message that was later deleted from X.
That post featured a graph claiming that “U.S. Grocery Prices Reached Record Highs in 2025” and said prices were “higher today than they were on July 2024.”
Critics at the time pointed out that the grocery graph showed prices rising sharply in 2021, when Biden was president.
The graphic also showed those prices leveling off near the end of 2024, when Trump was reelected.
Fox News Digital contacted Newsom’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The controversy arrived as Newsom continued pursuing housing affordability measures within California.
In 2025, Newsom signed a housing package exempting certain projects from the California Environmental Quality Act and streamlining environmental reviews for qualifying housing and infrastructure development.
In July, he signed additional affordability reforms focused on simplifying affordable housing financing and project reviews.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital that Trump is more “laser-focused” on affordability than the “incompetent” Newsom.
Ingle cited actions involving Wall Street firms, mortgage bonds and federal regulations.
“Unlike incompetent Governor Gavin Newscum, President Trump has been laser-focused on making housing more affordable.
The president signed an executive order prohibiting large Wall Street firms from purchasing single-family homes, directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds that helped drive rates to four-year lows and cut unnecessary red tape at a historic pace to boost supply, speed construction, and lower costs,” Ingle said.
“The president will not stop fighting until the American dream of homeownership is within reach for every American, which is why he continues to sign bold new executive orders and calls on Congress to pass further legislation.”
