Governor Gavin Newsom has ramped up his offensive against Donald Trump by adopting an unconventional tactic: wielding the same tools used by the current U.S. president. In recent weeks, the California governor has transformed his social media presence—particularly on X—with posts packed with ALL‑CAPS, viral images, and satirical references that imitate the tone and style of the Republican leader.
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To differentiate them from his personal account @GavinNewsom and the official governor’s account @CAgovernor, he began posting “Trump‑style” messages—with a mocking twist—on the @GovPressOffice account.
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Some of his most viral posts, supported by artificial intelligence, show Newsom riding dinosaurs, being worshipped in scenes alongside conservative figures like Tucker Carlson and Kid Rock, or boasting in uppercase that he has been renamed “GAVIN CHRISTOPHER ‘COLÓN’ NEWSOM” thanks to his initiative to redraw California’s electoral maps.
These images and captions not only grab public attention but have also sparked high-profile reactions from within and outside the Democratic Party.
A National Echo Chamber
But Newsom didn’t stop with words. He also proposed a mid‑cycle redistricting of districts in California—an unusual move—in response to Republican and Trump‑led efforts in Texas to redraw electoral maps to increase GOP legislative seats for the 2026 elections.
His strategy didn’t go unnoticed. Within days, he was praised by Barack Obama for his “responsible approach” to redistricting, criticized by Vice President JD Vance on Fox News, and directly referenced by President Trump on Truth Social. Newsom responded to Trump with a curt “Triggered?” Asked about his media shift, the governor said, “the facts have changed, we need to change.”
Why Did Newsom Adopt This New Strategy?
Willie Brown, former mayor of San Francisco and a key figure in Newsom’s political path, told NBC News that the governor is achieving exactly what he set out to do: garner attention. Brown said that in today’s political environment, the electorate needs to know who you are—and Newsom has found an effective way to achieve this without the need for expensive campaigns, at least for now.
The numbers back this up. Since the beginning of August, Newsom’s official press account on X has gained 250,000 new followers and generated over 225 million impressions. Beyond exaggerated memes, his team has begun using AI to create satirical images—though they claim the text content remains original.
Right-wing critics were quick to respond. Some called his behavior shameful and a misuse of public resources—though they didn’t make the same claims about Trump. There’s even skepticism about whether Newsom himself is posting the messages. His team fires back with the same parodic tone that defines his new digital identity.
One of his most widely circulated posts responded to Fox News host Dana Perino with a Trump‑style text mocking her. The post garnered over five million views.
Eyes on 2028
Newsom’s push extends beyond digital spectacle. In a significant political move, he requested the California legislature to call a special election in November so voters can decide whether to redraw districts before the 2026 midterms. If approved, this would bypass the independent commission that usually oversees this process in the state.
Since the announcement, online donations have surged. According to informed sources, Newsom has maintained frequent contact with influential party figures like Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi—aligned with his strategic objectives but not leading the effort directly.
For many within the Democratic Party, Newsom is positioning himself as a key figure heading toward the 2028 presidential race. Some of Trump’s allies, like Steve Bannon, have even acknowledged the effectiveness of his strategy, saying it has re‑energized a party that seemed to have lost momentum. According to Bannon, modern politics demands breaking through the media noise not with detailed proposals, but with attitude and presence, something Newsom has managed to embody.
For now, Newsom has found an effective way to compete in the arena Trump dominates: the high‑impact political spectacle. And while there are still years until the next presidential election, he’s already done what few Democrats have in the Trump era: insert himself into the national conversation and set the agenda on his own terms.