“Are we sure this guy is even him? I think it’s a bad body double.”

When Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) questioned Gov. Gavin Newsom’s whereabouts on social media, the trade rapidly spiraled right into a messy on-line feud. Newsom’s communications director, Izzy Gardon, fired again with a mocking publish that included side-by-side pictures of the previous actuality TV star, drawing accusations of body-shaming.

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Pratt wrote on Aug. 31, 2025, “Can anyone prove my source wrong that Newsom is NOT in Italy right now ?” The query invited hypothesis, however the unofficial response garnered a better response than the unique declare.

Nearly a day later, Newsom’s director of communications, Izzy Gardon (@iGardon), shot again on his private account. He replied, “My sources are saying he’s in Kenya looking for his birth certificate.” The jab mirrored the age-old birther-style conspiracy idea about President Barack Obama and rapidly set the tone for what adopted.

Who are Spencer Pratt and Izzy Gardon?

Spencer Pratt rose to fame as a forged member on MTV’s actuality TV sequence The Hills. His actuality TV notoriety helped him construct a following, although he later shifted into podcasting and household life. He married The Hills costar Heidi Montag in 2008 and has been in a few different actuality TV exhibits since then.

By distinction, Izzy Gardon works because the voice of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s workplace. His job is to handle public messaging for the governor, notably on social media. Because of that function, Gardon’s sharp reply carried extra weight than a random on-line insult. He does notice in his profile, nonetheless, that the opinions shared on his account are his personal and never Newsom’s.

Backlash over body-shaming remarks

Another person jumped into the trade, admitting they needed to Google Pratt to recollect who he was. Gardon piled on, responding, “Are we sure this guy is even him? I think it’s a bad body double.” He connected two pictures of Pratt: one from his youth in Hollywood and one other rather more current picture. The latter confirmed Pratt older, heavier, and visibly aged.

Soon, hypothesis unfold about Pratt’s motives. Some questioned if he was MAGA-aligned, a bipartisan voter irritated at Newsom, or only a “grifter” stirring outrage.

However, Gardon’s body-shaming publish fueled a stronger wave of responses. One person chastised him instantly, saying, “When you resort to body shaming it tells me that you are deflecting because you have no counter argument. So where is Gavin? P.S. you should expect your comment to backfire on you in a big way. Spencer has won over the hearts of America…unlike Your boss Nuisance.”

Pratt himself then QRT’d Gardon’s publish, writing, “Director of Communications for Governor Gavin Newsom shaming my appearance. His boss lets my town burn down and now he has employees harassing me.” He referenced shedding every thing throughout the Palisades fireplace, which resonated with followers who insisted his anger was not political.

Despite this, a lot of the web chatter turned hostile. Commenters combined in homophobic and transphobic assaults, usually weaponizing Gardon’s protection of Newsom to hurl broader slurs. Others informed Pratt he was “winning” as a result of “they” solely have empty phrases and insults, with out explicitly stating who “they” had been.

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