Republicans have been accused of promoting a "conspiracy theory" for suggesting that Vice President Kamala Harris became her party's nominee via "a coup" by high-ranking Democrats.

However, one witness to the process all but confirmed this week that the rumors about Harris' rapid assent were true. 

Gavin Newson "told" to say it was "a very open process"

According to Fox News, that admission was made by California Democratic Gov. Gain Newson during an appearance on the podcast "Pod Save America."

"We went through a very open process, a very inclusive process," Newsom sarcastically said of Harris' nomination as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.

"It was bottom-up, I don't know if you know that. That's what I’ve been told to say," the California governor added with a laugh.

Newsom jokingly recalled how there was an "amazing" 30-minute-long conversation about the need to endorse Harris after President Joe Biden announced last month that he would not seek another term in the White House.

Critics mock claims of defending democracy

Fox News noted that the California governor's words brought mockery on social media, including from author and independent journalist Glenn Greenwald.

The Party of Democracy sits around guffawing at how anti-democratic and vote-free and secret was their process for choosing and then imposing the new Democratic presidential nominee on the country.pic.twitter.com/yCJz7E79ua

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) August 23, 2024

Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel CEO Dumisani Washington spoke up as well, writing, "The party always screaming about DEI and White privilege love using DEI to flaunt their White privilege. Isn't screwing over the voters funny?"

RFK Jr.'s endorsement of Trump could change race

Yet another X user declared, "Gavin Newsom knows the Harris nomination was a top-down coup, and they’re all cynical about it."

"Is this the 'democracy' they want to save? What a sick joke on their own supporters and this country," the person lamented.

Harris has apparently enjoyed a popularity boost in recent weeks, with most polls showing her as having a slight edge over former President Donald Trump.

Yet some observers such as Republican political strategist Karl Rove believe Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent decision to suspend his independent presidential campaign and endorse Trump could change that dynamic.