California Gov. Gavin Newsom pointed out White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s awkward choice of words when promoting President Donald Trump’s support of psychedelic drugs as treatment for mental illness. Trump signed an executive order directing the Food and Drug Administration to “expedite their review of certain psychedelics already designated as breakthrough therapy drugs” for conditions including depression and anxiety.
The Wording Controversy
On Monday, Leavitt posted on X that “President Donald J. Trump is Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness,” prompting Newsom to respond “For himself?” via his press office. Other public officials, including former South Carolina House member Bakari Sellers and journalist Aaron Rupar, shared similar sentiments. Sellers wrote “Thank GOD, he’s getting the help he needs,” while Rupar added “we’ve noticed and i’m glad he’s getting help.”
Original Intent
At a press conference held Saturday at the Oval Office, Trump said the order was intended “for a lot of people, but it’s for our military in particular.” He noted receiving “a call from a number of people including the great Joe Rogan,” adding “and he said we have to do something about this,” before a crowd that included both the podcaster and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Context of the Criticism
The order comes amid heightened scrutiny of Trump’s own mental acuity, particularly as he has repeatedly criticized Pope Leo XIV and embraced extreme rhetoric with regard to the Iran war. Far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who until recently has been loyal to the president, recently described Trump’s actions as those of “an unhinged super villain from a Marvel comic movie” and even suggested “we 25th Amendment his ass.”
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gavin-newsom-karoline-leavitt-trump-mental-health-claims_n_69e78254e4b0ff46b4115f5e