Breaking News: Gunrock caught having romantic, candlelit dinner with Gavin Newsom
UC Davis students, Chancellor Gary May and President Donald Trump shared their thoughts
By SABRINA FIGUEROA — sfigueroaavila@ucdavis.edu
On March 17, 2026, Polly Tics, a third-year cinema and digital media major, captured and posted photos of UC Davis mascot Gunrock and California Governor Gavin Newsom at an intimate dinner in Downtown Sacramento.
“This was honestly so shocking to me,” Tics said. “I just remember thinking ‘Wait… isn’t [Newsom] married?’ I mean, it wouldn’t be his first affair, but with Gunrock of all people? Geez.”
This sentiment was shared across social media after the photos were posted, putting Newsom in the hot seat during what appears to be the launch of his campaign for the 2028 presidential election. A hashtag of the ship name #rocksom began circulating on X in a matter of minutes.
“Didn’t know [Newsom] was into doing all that…”user @ur_m0m67 posted on X, to which Newsom’s ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, replied in the comments: “I did.”
Another X post by user @d0wnforanyth1ng said, “Wait… i'd do it too, gunrock's pretty hot.”
Other news outlets picked up the story and began to publish op-eds. One post by The New York Times was titled “Once a cheater, always a cheater?” while another by Teen Vogue was titled “Will Gunrock be Newsom’s Big?”
The California Aggie reached out to Gunrock for comment, but was not provided an answer; instead, Gunrock shrugged as he was ushered away by his security team.
However, Gary May, chancellor of UC Davis, offered comment on the scandal in a statement to students.
“We are extremely stunned by the events that took place on March 17,” the statement read. “This is absolutely unacceptable behavior, and we are investigating further to come up with a solution.”
When students expressed their worry over the possibility of firing Gunrock, May responded: “Haven’t you guys always wanted a cow as a mascot anyway? Like damn, get off my back.”
The Aggie reached out to the Governor’s office for comment, but did not get a response. Newsom has not yet published a press release, but did post a short statement on X.
“Yeah, I tapped that, and what about it? Did I get UC Davis' vote for president in 2028?” Newsom posted.
Politicians all over the country have replied to the post, many reprimanding Newsom’s inappropriate actions. President Donald Trump and Newsom engaged in a nasty argument online.
“Newscum has been caught with a mascot; he’ll never be president now. Plus, he said he’d take me out to dinner someday, too. Gunrock isn’t special. SAD!” Trump said in an X post, to which Newsom replied, “When I said I’d hit that, I meant with my car.”
The future of both Newsom and Gunrock remains murky, with few details on how the Governor’s office and UC Davis will be moving forward. For now, The Aggie remains committed to bringing you the latest news on #rocksom.
Written by: Sabrina Figueroa — sfigueroaavila@ucdavis.edu
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.