An article by self-described “pro-democracy” media outlet MeidasTouch, which cited unnamed sources, reported that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration was planning a “show of force” by launching missiles into California on Oct. 18, 2025, the same day as planned “No Kings” protests, noting that Interstate 5 could be shut down.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom shared the claim on X, writing, “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military.”
The U.S. Marines posted a statement on their website that said “all training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols” and that “no public highways or transportation routes will be closed.” Newsom later acknowledged this statement on X.
The Los Angeles Times reported it was Newsom’s office that considered the closure of the interstate to accommodate the event.

As activists planned another “No Kings” protest on Oct. 18, 2025, to voice discontent with the administration of Republican U.S. President Donald Trump, a rumor spread on social media that the president was planning a “show of force” by launching missiles over California. 

The rumor claimed the administration planned on closing Interstate 5 “to shoot out missiles from ships” and into Camp Pendleton, a training facility for the Marines about 80 miles southeast of Los Angeles. 

Users across social media sites such as Instagram (archived), X (archived) and Facebook (archived) shared the claim. Some suggested Trump planned on using the excuse of a military showcase in order to intimidate “No Kings” protesters, citing the administration’s attempts to characterize the protests as anti-American. 

Many Snopes readers emailed us to ask about the veracity of this rumor. 

On Oct. 15, 2025, the Marines posted a statement on their official website announcing “a live-fire Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Red Beach, Camp Pendleton” that would be followed by “a community Beach Bash at Del Mar Beach on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, to mark the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday and America’s Semiquincentennial.”

The statement said “the capabilities demonstration will feature integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land, and sea” and assured the public that “all training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols.”

The statement also confirmed “no public highways or transportation routes will be closed” and that the White House would be capturing the event on film for a Nov. 9 television broadcast.

Snopes reached out to the White House for comment on the assertion that Trump intended to use the demonstration as a “show of force” against protesters and will update this article if we receive a response. 

How the ‘show of force’ rumor started

The initial rumors about highway shutdowns, as well as the demonstration being deemed a “vanity parade” and “show of force” from Trump, stemmed from an article by self-described “pro-democracy” media outlet MeidasTouch, which cited unnamed sources in its reporting.  

The article stated: “JD Vance is expected to be present and intends to lead the parade. This show of military force and I-5 closures if the plan is completed will also be taking place during the No Kings Protests, which are expected to be very large across California cities and the rest of the country.”

A variety of popular media outlets, including The Independent, Yahoo, Newsweek and The Daily Beast, shared the reporting from the MeidasTouch article. 

On the evening of Oct. 15, Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a vocal detractor of Trump who has said the president has “an unhinged California obsession,” reposted the MeidasTouch article on X (archived). 

Newsom wrote, “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military. PUT ASIDE YOUR VANITY PARADE AND PAY OUR TROOPS INSTEAD,” referring to the ongoing government shutdown. 

The Los Angeles Times reported it was Newsom’s office that considered the closure of the interstate to accommodate the event, stating the office “was weighing the closure amid safety concerns about reports that Navy ships would fire live ordnance over the freeway onto the base during the Marine Corps’ 250th-anniversary celebration.”

Later that evening, the X account for Newsom’s press office shared the same article and posted (archived), “This would be an absurd show of force, and totally uncalled for during a government shutdown when members of the military cannot even get a paycheck.”

However, on the morning of Oct. 16 Newsom’s press office reposted (archived) another user on X who pointed out the Marines’ statement on the matter. 

Newsom’s press office responded, “We’re relieved the White House backed off its plans to shut down a major interstate. Now that I-5 will stay open, we hope the Trump Administration applies that same common sense to reopening the federal government!”

The New York Times reported on the discrepancies between information coming from the Trump administration and Newsom’s office, writing the incident was “the latest example of how communications have broken down between Mr. Newsom and the Trump administration over all manner of activities.”

Further perpetuating the rumors were similarities to “No Kings” protests that occurred in June 2025, at the same time Trump held a military parade in Washington, D.C.

In sum …

The language used in these claims originated with a media outlet’s reporting from anonymous sources and subsequent amplification by Newsom. 

As we are unable to verify these claims with a primary source, we have opted not to put a rating on his claim. We will update this article if we get a response from the White House on the matter. 

Sources

Aaron Parnas. “EXCLUSIVE: Trump May Launch Missiles from Warships into California This Friday and Saturday as Part of ‘Vanity Parade.'” MeidasTouch, MeidasTouch, 15 Oct. 2025, https://meidasnews.com/news/exclusive-trump-may-launch-missiles-from-warships-into-california-this-friday-and-saturday-as-part-of-vanity-parade-.

“California Gov. Newsom Says Trump Has a ‘relentless, Unhinged’ Obsession with the State.” AP News, 9 Sep. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/california-governor-gavin-newsom-trump-state-speech-074282af3dc429e44f6c9c1f5bf77308.

Loe, Megan. “Government Shutdown: What’s Open, What’s Closed and Who’s Affected.” Snopes, 3 Oct. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/10/03/government-shutdown-2025-guide/.

Marines Showcase Amphibious Capabilities for Marine Corps’ 250th Birthday. United States Marine Corps, 15 Oct. 2025, https://www.marines.mil/News/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Display/Article/4323899/marines-showcase-amphibious-capabilities-for-marine-corps-250th-birthday/.

“Military Parade Rolls through DC as ‘No Kings’ Protesters across US Decry Trump.” AP News, 14 Jun. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-parade-troops-tanks-birthday-protests-4cca4da0e89908d39c820240744375a1.

“Opinion | The GOP’s Coordinated Attack on the No Kings Rally Is Ridiculous.” MSNBC.Com, 16 Oct. 2025, https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/no-kings-protests-trump-republican-warnings-rcna237845.

X and Email. “Newsom Warns of Missiles over I-5, but Freeway Will Remain Open during Live-Fire Camp Pendleton Event.” Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2025, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-15/state-may-close-i-5-during-vance-visit-to-camp-pendleton.
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