California Gov. Gavin Newsom tried cashing in on BTS mania — but the internet wasn’t buying it.
The Democratic governor welcomed the Korean boy band to the state, where the group is performing a series of shows in Stanford Stadium as part of their ongoing Arirang World Tour, with a social media post Saturday.
“3 sold-out shows in California can mean only one thing: @BTS_Bighit is in town,” Newsom wrote from his official governor’s account on X.
“Welcome to the Golden State!” he said, adding along emojis of a purple heart, often used in the BTS fandom, and the “finger heart” hand gesture commonly used in South Korea.
The post included side-by-side pictures of the boy band alongside a flying flag of the state of California.
Social media users, however, were not amused by the post.
Crypto influencer Tiffany Fong questioned the governor’s personality in sharing his support.
“Are you a teenage girl?” she asked.
Multiple others mockingly noted that Newsom should also welcome BTS to California’s notorious problems of homelessness and other issues that have tarnished the state’s image.
“Hope these guys don’t get robbed or assaulted while here?” one user suggested.
“Try not to step on a homeless person or fentanyl on your way to the arena,” another joked.
“How much do they have to pay in taxes?” a user asked, referencing California’s costly high-tax environment.
One user tore into Newsom for even spending time making the post.
“THIS??? This is what is important to you? Your state is a dumpster fire and you are playing ‘fan boy.’ You are seriously a pathetic little man,” the user said.
Newsom has previously derided critics of the state as having “California Derangement Syndrome.” His administration is currently plowing nearly $20 million to help polish the state’s reputation.
In addition to this weekend’s run in the Bay Area, BTS will return to California later this year September 1 to 6 to perform at Inglewood’s SoFi stadium.
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