California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking aim at President Donald Trump over reports that the president has been gifting dress shoes to members of his inner circle — a gesture that has quickly turned into a new political talking point in Washington.
The unusual story centers around a simple but distinctive gift: $145 Florsheim Oxford shoes that Trump has reportedly been buying for Cabinet officials, close advisors, and other allies inside his administration.
While supporters see the move as a lighthearted personal gesture from the president, critics and political opponents have used the story to poke fun at the administration — with Newsom’s office joining in on the criticism this week.
Trump’s Shoe Gifts Become a White House Tradition
According to reports, President Trump has developed a habit of purchasing classic Florsheim dress shoes for members of his team.
The president reportedly guesses the recipient’s shoe size himself before ordering the shoes and having them delivered to the White House.
Recipients of the footwear reportedly include:
- Vice President JD Vance
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
- Communications director Steven Cheung
- Deputy chief of staff James Blair
- Speechwriter Ross Worthington
- Fox News host Sean Hannity
- Senator Lindsey Graham
According to reports from inside the White House, the shoes have become something of an informal badge of loyalty within Trump’s political circle.
One official reportedly joked about the trend, saying:
“All the boys have them.”
Another insider reportedly told reporters that some officials feel pressure to wear the shoes when they are around the president.
“It’s funny because people don’t want to show up without them,” the source reportedly said.
Newsom’s Office Uses Story to Mock Trump
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s team quickly jumped on the story.
The governor’s communications office shared a social media post highlighting a photo of Secretary of State Marco Rubio wearing what appeared to be an oversized pair of shoes reportedly gifted by Trump.
In the image, Rubio’s heel appears to sit well inside the shoe, leaving a noticeable gap in the back.
Newsom’s office captioned the post with a jab aimed directly at the president:
“Maybe Trump just assumes everyone else has swollen ankles.”
The comment was widely shared online and sparked a wave of reactions across social media.
White House Previously Addressed Health Questions
The joke referenced earlier public discussion surrounding the president’s health after photos circulated showing visible swelling and bruising around his ankles.
The White House previously addressed those concerns.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last year that the president underwent an evaluation by the White House medical unit after the images began circulating online.
According to the medical review, doctors found no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.
Officials said the president has chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) — a condition in which blood can pool in the veins of the legs.
Medical experts note that CVI is fairly common among people over the age of 70 and can often be managed without significant lifestyle limitations.
Critics and Late-Night Hosts Join the Conversation
Political critics have also weighed in on the unusual footwear story.
One anti-Trump political group posted online that some of the shoes reportedly ordered by the president appear to be too large for their recipients.
The group referenced photos of Marco Rubio wearing what they described as an oversized pair selected by Trump after reportedly guessing his shoe size.
Late-night television hosts also used the story for comedy segments.
One host joked that because Trump reportedly guesses the sizes rather than measuring them, some officials appear to be wearing oversized shoes.
Supporters Say the Gesture Reflects Trump’s Leadership Style
Despite the criticism, supporters say the shoe gifts simply reflect Trump’s personal and unconventional leadership style.
Throughout his career in business and politics, the president has often emphasized loyalty and personal relationships with the people he works closely with.
To some allies, the Florsheim shoes are simply another example of Trump’s habit of blending business culture, humor, and personal gestures inside his administration.
A Small Story That Became a Big Political Moment
In today’s political environment, even small details inside the White House can quickly turn into a national news story.
What started as a simple gift between colleagues has now become the latest viral moment in Washington politics — with supporters defending the president and critics using it as an opportunity for political jabs.
For now, the now-famous “Trump shoes” appear to remain a quiet but recognizable symbol among members of the president’s inner circle.
And in Washington, even a pair of dress shoes can spark a political debate.