1 min read
Sources:
press and public records, Kevin's account, his own videos
["default","default","lime"]
Short answer
In May 2021 Instagram removed his campaign announcement post, in which he called Gavin Newsom a “weanie baby,” under its harassment rules. Kevin accused Meta of censorship tied to its donations to Newsom causes; Meta said the donations went to COVID relief and that the removal was an error, and restored the post after Fox News inquired. Kevin says the episode taught him how common platform takedowns were, and notes the irony that he is bullish on Meta today. 12
Removed: May 2021 (campaign announcement post)
Reason given: Harassment rules (the "weanie baby" line)
Outcome: Restored (Meta called the removal an error)
The record
Instagram removed Kevin’s May 2021 campaign announcement post under its harassment guidelines after he referred to Newsom as a weanie baby. Kevin told Fox News he suspected suppression linked to Facebook’s donations to Newsom-related causes; Facebook said the donations were for COVID relief and that the removal was made in error. The post was restored after Fox inquired. 1
Kevin’s account
Kevin’s account
My campaign announcement post was briefly pulled, which was very frustrating. I learned censorship was common on social media then. The irony is not lost on me: today I am bullish on Meta. 2
In his own videos
September 2025: his campaign announcement was taken down by Instagram; he has speculated on camera about why, and this page does not repeat the speculation. 3
In his own videos
Taken down, called an error, put back. 1
Simply put
✅ What happened
➡️ His announcement post insulted Newsom and Instagram pulled it.
➡️ Meta said it was a mistake and restored it after a news inquiry.
✅ What he took from it
➡️ That takedowns were routine on social media in 2021.
➡️ He is now a Meta bull anyway.
Sources
Wikipedia, Kevin Paffrath (Instagram removal and restoration; Meta statement), Open
Kevin's account, Instagram: “I learned censorship was common on social media then. The irony isn't lost on me: today I'm bullish on Meta.” Read the excerpt
Kevin on YouTube, "Did Jimmy Kimmel LIE about Charlie Kirk | Trump." (2025-09-19), at 2:20: “when I ran for governor in 2021, my campaign announcement was censored by Facebook. It was taken down by Instagram, therefore Meta. We just know it was taken down.” Watch from 2:20
Kevin on YouTube, "Governor of California Had me DELETED from Instagram" (2021-05-18), at 0:00: “Governor of California Had me DELETED from Instagram” Watch from 0:00
Kevin on YouTube, "Fox News JUST Exposed Governor Censoring me on Instagram!!!" (2021-05-19), at 0:00: “Fox News JUST Exposed Governor Censoring me on Instagram!!!” Watch from 0:00
