Why Gavin Newsom Is Mimicking Trump—And What It Means for Democrats
California Governor Gavin Newsom is making headlines for doing something few Democrats have dared to try: adopting the bold, in-your-face tactics of Donald Trump. From all-caps social media blasts to cheeky nicknames, Newsom is trolling the former president with a strategy that’s equal parts risk and reward. But can Democrats really beat Trump by becoming a mirror image of him? Here’s what’s happening and why it matters.
A Trump-Like Strategy That Turns Heads
In recent weeks, Newsom has fully leaned into Trump’s playbook. His posts on X (formerly Twitter) now echo the cadence and tone Trump made famous—short, punchy, and loaded with viral potential. He even coined his own Trump-style nickname for the former president: “TACO,” short for Trump Always Chickens Out. The name originated on Wall Street after Trump backed off tariffs, and Newsom is making sure it sticks.
Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons explains the thinking:
“Democrats are done with being the ‘nice guy’ party. Newsom is showing he’s willing to go as low as needed to fight back.”
That willingness comes at a time when Democrats are desperate for energy. After years of losses and declining enthusiasm, many see Newsom’s approach as a shot of adrenaline. It’s raw, it’s aggressive, and it feels unapologetic—qualities Trump mastered in 2016.
Media Buzz and a Surge in Polling
The strategy isn’t going unnoticed. HuffPost ran the headline: “He’s on a troll.” Over on Fox News, panelists debated whether the governor’s antics make him a serious presidential contender or just another headline-chaser.
The attention seems to be working in Newsom’s favor. A recent Echelon Insights poll put him in second place among likely 2028 Democratic contenders, capturing 13 percent of the vote—trailing only Vice President Kamala Harris. That’s a significant jump from single digits just months ago, and it happened after Newsom ramped up his trolling campaign.
Anthony Coley, a Democratic strategist, summed it up:
“Watching him go toe-to-toe with Trump on social media—an arena Trump has dominated for a decade—is refreshing. It’s about time Democrats figured out how to play offense.”
More Than Trump: Newsom Targets Republicans Broadly
Newsom isn’t just mocking Trump; he’s expanding his trolling to other Republicans. Recently, he took a swipe at Vice President J.D. Vance by editing his face onto a viral breakdancer’s body. The post went viral within hours, sparking laughter and outrage in equal measure.
Fox News host Dana Perino wasn’t amused, calling Newsom “unserious.” Her critique backfired when Newsom clapped back with another post that sent his follower count soaring past 400,000 on X. Love him or hate him, people are paying attention.
Why This Matters for Democrats
This isn’t just a stunt; it’s a test. Democrats have long struggled with messaging in the Trump era, often coming across as restrained while Trump dominated headlines with provocations. Newsom’s strategy flips that script. Instead of playing defense, he’s using Trump’s own methods against him.
Christy Setzer, another Democratic strategist, sees it as smart politics:
“He’s speaking to two audiences: Democrats desperate for a fighter and media outlets hungry for spectacle. He’s giving both what they want.”
The Critics Are Pushing Back
Not everyone is convinced. Republican strategist Kevin Madden argues that trolling isn’t a substitute for substance:
“Other than clicks and downloads, has this shifted the debate in his favor? So far, there’s little evidence.”
Some Democrats also worry that mirroring Trump risks undermining the party’s brand. If Democrats sound too much like the man they’ve spent years condemning, will voters trust their authenticity?
Redistricting, Resistance, and Ambition
Newsom’s trolling isn’t happening in a vacuum. It coincides with a larger battle over redistricting, where Newsom has vowed to counter Texas’ Republican-led maps with California’s own aggressive redraw. That fight, coupled with his rising national profile, has fueled speculation that he’s eyeing the presidency in 2028—or sooner if an opportunity arises.
Former Obama aides privately admit they see Newsom as “the most Trump-proof Democrat in the country.” His comfort in the spotlight, his willingness to brawl, and his sharp instincts on social media make him uniquely positioned to dominate headlines in an era when attention equals power.
Can Democrats Out-Trump Trump?
The question remains: Can Democrats beat Trump by borrowing from his playbook? “No one will ever out-Trump Trump,” Setzer admits. But as a tactic to grab attention and energize the base, she says Newsom has “already succeeded.”
What comes next could determine the future of Democratic strategy. Will trolling become the new norm—or will voters demand a return to substance over spectacle? For now, one thing is clear: Gavin Newsom isn’t waiting for permission to fight fire with fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4JQmRBIBrg
