Golf icon Phil Mickelson ignited a firestorm on X in recent days with a pair of posts targeting what he sees as deep-rooted issues in California’s political landscape. His comments come amid a widespread fraud scandal in Minnesota.
The six-time major champion, who has increasingly voiced conservative-leaning views, didn’t hold back in calling out alleged fraud, illegal immigration, and voter irregularities that he claims prop up Democrat dominance in the Golden State.
In fact, Mickelson claims, if the fraud, influx of illegals, and voting issues were remedied, the resistance party would all but disappear in Cali.
“The dilemma for all Democrats is if you stop the fraud, illegal immigration, and voter fraud in CA, then Republicans win CA and have a huge majority throughout the country,” he wrote. “The Democrat party all but ends.”
The dilemma for all Democrats is if you stop the fraud, illegal immigration, and voter fraud in CA, then Republicans win CA and have a huge majority throughout the country. The Democrat party all but ends. 🤔
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) January 1, 2026
Phil Mickelson Taking on California
Mickelson’s post went viral, amassing nearly 2 million views in short order. He followed up that commentary with another rebuke of the dominant political party in California.
He accused the state of being itself overrun with massive fraud. He wondered about the dilemma facing taxpayers who know their hard-earned money is going to politicians and government officials who promote that fraud.
“Legitimate question,” the golf legend said. “We know CA government commits $billions in fraud every year. When we pay our taxes knowing it is directly funding fraudulent entities, does that make us complicit?”
“Don’t pay and go to jail,” he added. “Pay, and you’re funding the biggest government fraud in the country.”
Mickelson is successfully pointing out widespread frustration over California’s fiscal mismanagement, including reports of billions in unaccounted-for spending on programs like homelessness initiatives and high-speed rail projects that have ballooned in cost without delivering results.
California is a mess. Democrat dominance in the state is predominantly to blame, he feels.
Legitimate question. We know CA government commits $billions in fraud every year. When we pay our taxes knowing it is directly funding fraudulent entities, does that make us complicit? Don’t pay and go to jail. Pay and you’re funding the biggest government fraud in the country 🤔
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) January 3, 2026
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Mickelson Going from Lefty to Righty
It’s been pretty hard to ignore. Mickelson has been getting more political with his social media posts over the years. And he’s definitely channeling President Trump at times. In November, he expressed dismay over California’s sky-high gas prices and ripped Democratic policies that prioritize climate goals over common sense.
Weeks prior, he took a sarcastic swipe at the nationwide “No Kings” protests against Trump and mocked the previous occupant of the White House in the process.
“On this special day, as we all gather to fight against blanket auto pen pardons and executive orders, lawlessness, and stealing citizens’ resources for illegal non-citizens, I believe it has worked!” he sarcastically wrote on X. “That is no longer happening, so great job, everyone.”
He even entered the gun debate recently, ripping Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for pivoting to gun control in the wake of a targeted terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The attack, which killed 15 people (not including the gunman), was carried out despite Australia having some of the strictest gun control laws in the world.
Mickelson fired off a tweet pointing out that the two armed terrorists had blatantly ignored Australia’s already strict gun restrictions to carry out their attack. He argued that the prolonged rampage happened precisely because no armed civilians were present to intervene quickly.
Which, of course, is undeniably true. Imagine how much easier it would have been for the Bondi Beach hero in those videos to take down the terrorist if he had a gun, as opposed to having to tackle him from behind.
“The two terrorists didn’t seem affected by the strict gun laws already in place,” Mickelson wrote on X. “In fact, the shooting went on for a long time since there wasn’t anybody else with a gun to stop them.”
“I’m not a big gun guy, but even I’m not this dumb to believe what this guy is selling.”
Phil Mickelson captured six major championships—three Masters titles (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021), and the 2013 Open Championship—before joining LIV Golf in 2022.