In yet another case of a media personality turned politician, former Olympic gold medalist and Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Caitlyn Jenner announced on Twitter Friday she plans to run for governor of California.
Jenner intends to run as a Republican on the recall ballot in the likely event that California's current Governor Gavin Newsom faces a recall election. Newsom first took office in 2019 and has spent much of his tenure navigating the state's response to the pandemic, although the recall petition pre-dates the pandemic.
But only a day after her announcement, Jenner had already made a misstep in the form of a misleading tweet about the death of a 7-month-old baby.
This is horrible and also avoidable. Gavin’s District Attorneys across California are releasing dangerous criminals… https://t.co/6wjm0j349J— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn Jenner) 1619297416.0
Jenner tried to point the finger at Newsom but quickly got schooled on how California's D.A.s are actually chosen.
Manhattan District Attorney candidate Eliza Orlins put together a quick list to educate Jenner.
NO. Time for a fact check. 1. Voters elect DAs in CA, not governors. 2. This "reporting” uses the most extreme ca… https://t.co/GVJgao3U2p— Eliza Orlins (@Eliza Orlins) 1619315744.0
Orlins' tweet set off plenty of Twitter commentary.
@elizaorlins @sfchronicle trying to decide whether or not she knows better and is pandering, or genuinely doesn't k… https://t.co/jRNWwMuF3Q— Yves Saint Laurent is Too Damn High (@Yves Saint Laurent is Too Damn High) 1619316377.0
@elizaorlins @sfchronicle A Republican lying about how the system works to try and score cheap points? *slaps cheek… https://t.co/jpmIPTHSvT— Garrett Petersen (@Garrett Petersen) 1619364007.0
@elizaorlins @sfchronicle She does not care about "doing better" or really doing anything at all except being back in the spotlight.— Chef Kendra Nguyen (@Chef Kendra Nguyen) 1619316041.0
@elizaorlins @sfchronicle I want this entire Tweet on a t-shirt.— x-wrappingupgradschool 🦩 (@x-wrappingupgradschool 🦩) 1619372690.0
United States Democratic Representative Ted Lieu of California took an even more tongue in cheek approach to his criticism of Jenner.
Dear @Caitlyn_Jenner: District Attorneys are elected by voters, not appointed by Gov @GavinNewsom. Also, do you kn… https://t.co/sV4YD5QRtj— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1619309796.0
Lieu's Tweet drew praise for highlighting Jenner's inexperience and lack of basic knowledge regarding the government.
@tedlieu @Caitlyn_Jenner @GavinNewsom Bringing the FIRE!— Spider Gwen (@Spider Gwen) 1619309828.0
@tedlieu @Caitlyn_Jenner @GavinNewsom Absolutely savage Ted, I like it.— Parth Badhwar (@Parth Badhwar) 1619309914.0
@tedlieu @Caitlyn_Jenner @GavinNewsom #shade— Susan Walter WROTE A BOOK! (@Susan Walter WROTE A BOOK!) 1619309867.0
Jenner attempted to slam Lieu for his post...
Ted, that kind of condescending tone is whats wrong w/ politics. Of course I know DAs are elected, but as the CEO o… https://t.co/VFcTJGmhl8— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn Jenner) 1619317298.0
...but found a lack of allies in the comments.
@4everNeverTrump @Caitlyn_Jenner Jenner is a right wing privileged know-nothing.— Jane Shay Wald (@Jane Shay Wald) 1619329970.0
@Caitlyn_Jenner "CEO of the state" - that phrase alone, equating the relatively simple task of running a for-profit… https://t.co/0pNRqv5lLg— William F Tulloch 🏳️🌈 (@William F Tulloch 🏳️🌈) 1619354100.0
@kurteichenwald @Caitlyn_Jenner Don’t look for logic from the right. We know this by now don’t we?— Ted Bryant (@Ted Bryant) 1619353560.0
@yashar @nelliebranco @Caitlyn_Jenner I may be LGBTQ, but I sure as hell wouldn't vote for any millionaire reality… https://t.co/uXrkrjgddT— Quartermainiac (@Quartermainiac) 1619325704.0
@TeachEsp @Caitlyn_Jenner “The buck stops with” is hilarious considering this just a grift. Her website has no poli… https://t.co/N6BNsXCqeV— Cynfulfan (@Cynfulfan) 1619318965.0
@Caitlyn_Jenner Translation: Caitlyn did not know this, and is now attacking Ted Lieu. What an idiot.— Eric Slater (@Eric Slater) 1619355527.0
@penipulation @karencollinsnyc @Caitlyn_Jenner She’s another ignorant right-wing celebutante running for office. Last thing we need.— Jane Shay Wald (@Jane Shay Wald) 1619329546.0
@Caitlyn_Jenner So you think the Governor should be using the power of the state to leverage influence against othe… https://t.co/miGE0TANrD— public/private safety expert (retired 01/21/21) (@public/private safety expert (retired 01/21/21)) 1619324973.0
@dlowther715 @JujunluluJudy @Caitlyn_Jenner She thinks our government it's a reality show because the ex former guy.— G.M. (Rather Incognito) (@G.M. (Rather Incognito)) 1619379330.0
It's worth mentioning once again all these exchanges came literally one day after Jenner announced her candidacy for governor of California. Jenner is reportedly getting advice from former Trump campaign adviser Brad Parscale.
@Caitlyn_Jenner The CEO of the state? Did you get that line from your buddy trump or Brad?— Lana DaFree (@Lana DaFree) 1619322923.0
@AlexandraErin @Caitlyn_Jenner Yeah. Caitlyn is a right-wing woman with money and name recognition who made headlin… https://t.co/Ldigst0ykl— Jane Shay Wald (@Jane Shay Wald) 1619329935.0
It's a safe bet to assume that we'll be seeing plenty more interesting dynamics in the weeks and months to come.