Washington, D.C. – On August 22, President Donald Trump fired back at California Governor Gavin Newsom, whose relentless social media parody campaign has struck a nerve, amplifying their ongoing feud.
Newsom’s strategy of mimicking Trump’s bombastic, all-caps social media style—complete with AI-generated memes mocking the president and his supporters—has drawn a heated response, with Trump calling Newsom “incompetent” and vowing to “save California.”
The clash, spilling from X to Truth Social, shows deeper tensions over policy, leadership and the 2026 midterms, as Newsom’s provocations energize Democrats while fueling accusations of political grandstanding amid a turbulent second Trump term.
Newsom’s Trolling Campaign – Holding a “Mirror” to Trump
Governor Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, has transformed his press office’s X account into a satirical weapon, adopting Trump’s signature all-caps rants, exaggerated boasts, and nicknames like “Donald ‘TACO’ Trump,” short for “Trump Always Chickens Out”.
Posts like “NOT EVEN JD ‘JUST DANCE’ VANCE CAN SAVE TRUMP FROM THE DISASTROUS MAPS ‘WAR’ HE HAS STARTED” and AI-generated images of Newsom on Mount Rushmore or Vice President JD Vance breakdancing have gone viral, generating over one billion impressions so far, per Newsom’s team.
In an interview with MeidasTouch Network’s Adam Mockler, Newsom explained his strategy: “I know there are some people who are offended by our all-caps parody of Trump, but I thought it’s time to put a mirror to Trump.” He argued that his posts highlight the “childish” behavior of a president whose grievances, amplified by “chatbots on Fox,” target vulnerable communities.
Newsom called for Democrats to show “more fortitude,” stating, “We need to stand up, all of us at this moment… for this country.”
The campaign, initially a “one-time joke,” has gained traction, with Newsom’s press office account surging by 325,000 followers since early August, per SFGate. Posts mocking Trump’s stumbles on Air Force One stairs or his reaction to a 2015 bald eagle photoshoot have resonated with liberals, while provoking outrage from conservatives like Fox News’ Dana Perino, who called it “childish” and urged Newsom to “put the phone away.”
Trump’s Counterattack: “Incompetent” Newsom and a Vow to “Save California”
Trump, speaking to reporters on August 22, didn’t mince words, declaring, “The governor is incompetent. I know Gavin very well. He’s an incompetent guy with a good line of bullshit—and he doesn’t get the job done.” He escalated the feud on Truth Social, writing, “Gavin Newscum is way down in the polls. He is viewed as the man who is destroying the once Great State of California. I will save California!!! President DJT.”
Newsom’s responses were swift and biting. After Trump’s “incompetent” remark, he posted on X, “Such low energy. SAD!” and, following the Truth Social jab, shared a screenshot with a single word: “Triggered.” These retorts, echoing Trump’s own social media style, have fueled perceptions that Newsom is beating him at his own game, with posts like @CalltoActivism’s noting, “Why is the media asking [Newsom] instead of Trump who has used social media like a Batman comic villain without scrutiny?”
Why It Matters
The feud’s roots lie in policy disputes, particularly Trump’s push for mid-decade redistricting in Republican-led states like Texas to secure five additional GOP House seats.
Newsom countered with a California ballot measure, dubbed “Liberation Day,” to redraw maps in favor of Democrats, set for a November 2025 special election. His X posts, like “DONALD TRUMP, THE LOWEST POLLING PRESIDENT IN RECENT HISTORY, THIS IS YOUR SECOND-TO-LAST WARNING!!!,” frame the move as a legal “counter-strike” against GOP gerrymandering.
Newsom’s trolling has also targeted Trump allies, including Kid Rock, whom he mocked with an AI image alongside Tucker Carlson and Hulk Hogan, prompting a lewd retort from the musician. His posts calling Fox News’ Dana Perino “DANA ‘DING DONG’ PERINO” and dismissing Tomi Lahren’s critiques have drawn conservative ire, with Perino arguing Newsom’s antics undermine his 2028 ambitions. Yet, polls show rising support, with 75% of California Democrats backing a Newsom 2028 run, up from 35% in 2023, per CNN’s Enten.
Political and Social Context
Newsom’s campaign has polarized reactions. Supporters, like @OccupyDemocrats, praise his “hilarious mockery” as a bold counter to Trump’s tactics, while critics, including GOP strategist Kevin Madden, argue it prioritizes “clicks and downloads” over substantive messaging. On X, @EdKrassen lauded Newsom for calling Trump “weak and broken,” while @WallStreetApes echoed Trump’s “Newscum” jab, highlighting the feud’s vitriol.
The strategy has boosted Newsom’s visibility, with a Politico/Citrin Center poll showing him leading Kamala Harris 25% to 19% in a hypothetical 2028 California Democratic primary. Betting markets, per Polymarket, have nearly doubled his 2028 odds since August, reflecting his growing prominence. However, critics like Dana Perino warn that his “Trumpian” tactics risk alienating moderates, with posts like “If I were his wife, I’d say, ‘You’re making a fool of yourself, stop it.’”
Trump’s health, a parallel concern, adds context. Comments from Alex Jones, Mary Trump, and John Bolton about his “swollen ankles” and “fatigue” have fueled speculation, amplified by Trump’s own remarks about wanting to “get to heaven.” These concerns, combined with his rambling August 21 AI speech—mocked for claiming “a lot of people don’t know what AI is”—intensify questions about his leadership.
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What’s Next?
Newsom’s trolling has redefined Democratic opposition, flipping Trump’s playbook to expose its absurdity while rallying voters. As The New York Times noted, it’s “holding up a mirror” to MAGA’s tactics, with Newsom arguing, “If you’ve got issues with what I’m putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns about what he’s putting out as president.”
The strategy’s success is evident in its metrics—225 million impressions and 250,000 new followers, per the Los Angeles Times—but risks being dismissed as performative, with Republican strategist Carter Wrenn warning it’s “not decisive” for 2028.
As Newsom pushes his “Liberation Day” ballot measure and Trump doubles down on policies like the Smithsonian review and tariff rollouts, their clash will dominate headlines. Whether Newsom’s trolling translates into lasting political capital or alienates voters will determine his 2028 prospects.
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