The California State Protocol Foundation was created during Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's tenure.
Posted by Philip Teresi, Checked
- Sources
- 3 contradict3 support1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 55%
Philip TeresiOct 16, 2026
Schwarzenegger governed from November 2003 to January 2011, and several sources (The Hill, LA Times via Consumer Watchdog) say the foundation was created as a tax-exempt charity under his administration in 2004. However, SF Standard cites state records showing it was incorporated in June 2001 under Gov.
What was said
… This is, um, it's mostly funded by corporate donations, it's run by a board appointed by the governor, and its function is to pay for the governor's travel expenses. The foundation was actually created during former Governor Schwarzenegger's tenure, tenure, excuse me, in order to help cover travel costs by state officials and their aides, and to spare taxpayers some of that expense. Every administration since then, which is exactly two, has tapped into the foundation's funding. It's paid for Newsom's international trips, it's paid for some trips inside the country. …
Philip Teresi · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Contradicts. SF Standard reports state records show the foundation was incorporated in June 2001 under Gov. Gray Davis as the Golden State Host Foundation, and only took its current name under Schwarzenegger.[2]
Contradicts. InfluenceWatch says the foundation was officially incorporated with the IRS in 2001, and Yahoo News says it was established in 2002 by Gov. Gray Davis before being renamed in 2004 under Schwarzenegger.[3][4]
Supports. The Hill and the LA Times (reproduced by Consumer Watchdog) state the foundation was created as a tax-exempt charity during Schwarzenegger's administration in 2004, matching the claim.[5][6][7]
Context. Schwarzenegger's tenure as governor ran from November 2003 to January 2011, so a 2004 creation date would fall within it, while a 2001 incorporation would predate it.[1]
Sources
7 sources: 1 fact-checker, 5 not rated, 1 tier 1
- 1Arnold Schwarzeneggerpolitifact.com · fact-checker · cited for: context
- 2What we know about the nonprofit at the center of Newsom's federal ...sfstandard.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts
- 3California State Protocol Foundation - Influence Watchinfluencewatch.org · not rated · cited for: contradicts
- 4Newsom calls DOJ probe into travel costs a 'baseless MAGA ...yahoo.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts
- 5Mystery surrounds DOJ’s investigation of Gavin Newsomthehill.com · tier 1 · cited for: supports
- 6Los Angeles Times - Who pays for Newsom's travel? Hint: It's not ...consumerwatchdog.org · not rated · cited for: supports
- 7Newsom brushes aside escalating DOJ probe into travel as retributionlatimes.com · not rated · cited for: supports
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- The San Francisco Standard obtained federal subpoenas seeking six years of records involving the California State Protocol Foundation.True
- In 2020, the California State Protocol Foundation paid for Gavin Newsom to travel to Miami for the Super Bowl.True
- California voters have not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger's reelection in 2006.True
- Jennifer Siebel Newsom is the First Partner of California.True
- Shirley Weber is the Secretary of State for California.True