NEW: Gavin Newsom Embroiled In Major Scandal Amid Brutal Month

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is on the ropes and embroiled in a new scandal, fresh off a stinging defeat in the courts and imperiling his chances at winning the presidency.

During the rioting in Los Angeles this month, Newsom purported to be a restorer of law and order, stating he was working closely with Mayor Karen Barr to bring about an end to violence that left one dead, multiple police officers wounded, and scores of businesses destroyed.

But a new report indicates that Newsom was instead gathered with the rich and powerful at a luxury wine-tasting event right as fires and hatred were ravaging the nation’s second-largest city.

The June 7 event took place at Odette Estate Winery in Napa, where a “Vineyard Vibes” themed party featured “contemporary yet sophisticated” wines, live jazz music, and locally made pizza and smash burgers, according to an invitation obtained by City Journal.

“It’s the perfect kick-off to summer fun,” read promotional language. “The fete will take place on the Winery Crushpad, where we’ll gather for music, food, conversation, and delicious wine!”

A source at the event told the outlet they were shocked to see the governor there right as violent riots percolated across Paramount.

“I couldn’t believe it,” the source said. “He was just walking around like this was an everyday occurrence.”

Newsom mingled with the crowd for at least 90 minutes before appearing to head inside the winery for a closer inspection of its facilities, the source added.

Protests first broke out on June 6 in response to a raid by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, catalyzing days of violent unrest that eventually caused the Democratic mayor to impose an 8 p.m. curfew and President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard and Marines.

Newsom, in turn, sued, alleging Trump “unlawfully” usurped his authority by calling up 4,000 members of the California Guard.

But on Thursday evening, an appeals court sided with Trump, ruling unanimously that he was within his authority to deploy soldiers to quell the unrest. In a statement, Newsom expressed disappointment and tried to point to portions of the ruling stating that the president’s authority to deploy soldiers on U.S. soil is not limitless.

“The court rightly rejected Trump’s claim that he can do whatever he wants with the National Guard and not have to explain himself to a court,” Newsom said. “The President is not a king and is not above the law. We will press forward with our challenge to President Trump’s authoritarian use of U.S. military soldiers against citizens.”

Still, it’s a stinging rebuke for a Democrat working to position himself as the leader of the resistance to Trump 2.0. Newsom is believed to harbor vast national ambitions, and he is frequently among the list of contenders mentioned as the Democratic Party’s possible 2028 nominee.

President Trump has leaned into the feud, referring to the governor as “Gavin Newscum” and belittling his leadership of California.

A spokesperson for Newsom told the City Journal he “proudly” attended the event, which raised money for breast cancer research, “in honor of his mother, who died of breast cancer.”