California’s Golden Days Are Gone, Says Stallone: Actor and musician Frank Stallone, known for his work in Hollywood and his famous family name, has some strong words about the current state of California. He remembers when the state was all about sunshine, opportunity, and the dream life. But today? He says it feels more like a disaster movie.
“I came to California in ’79, and back then, it really was ‘California Dreamin’,’” Stallone shared. “Not much crime, just a cool, sunny place. But now? It’s unrecognizable.
I was driving downtown the other day, and the amount of filth, graffiti, and homelessness was shocking. It looked like something straight out of ‘Escape from New York.’ Trash piles everywhere, people living on sidewalks—it’s just scary.”
Leadership Under Fire: Stallone Calls Out Newsom & Bass
Stallone didn’t hold back when talking about California’s leadership, pointing fingers at Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. He believes their policies have played a huge role in the state’s current issues.
“I mean, come on—Newsom starting a podcast while the state is falling apart? It’s like a bad joke. And Bass? She was in Ghana while wildfires were destroying people’s homes. How does that make sense?” Stallone questioned.
His comments come after Bass faced backlash for being out of the country while devastating wildfires tore through parts of Los Angeles. Though she claimed to be in constant communication, many questioned her priorities.
The Growing Crime & Homelessness Crisis
Beyond leadership failures, Stallone is deeply concerned about the rise in crime and homelessness. He believes the city has lost control and is in desperate need of a reality check.
“You can’t walk down the street without stepping over tents or dealing with the stench,” Stallone said. “And these aren’t just struggling folks—some of these people look perfectly capable of working but are just standing around begging. It’s insane.”
He also criticized laws like Proposition 47, which reduced penalties for certain crimes. “You can steal up to $900 worth of stuff, and nothing happens. That’s just ridiculous!”
A Call for Change Before the 2028 Olympics
With Los Angeles set to host the Summer Olympics in 2028, Stallone worries about how the city will be presented to the world. “This is supposed to be a global event, but if things don’t change, LA is going to look like a mess on the world stage,” he warned.
As for solutions, Stallone is rooting for real change in leadership. He hopes Rick Caruso, a well-known real estate developer, runs for governor. “We need someone who actually builds and gets things done, not just talks about it,” he said.
California’s Future: What’s Next?
Despite his harsh criticism, Stallone still believes in California’s potential. “This state is beautiful—we have mountains, oceans, everything. But it’s just run wrong,” he said. “I just want to see it return to what it used to be.”
With growing concerns over crime, homelessness, and leadership, California is at a crossroads. The big question now is whether changes will happen before it’s too late.
