Trump's Russia-Ukraine Talks Raise Two Conditions Key to Ending War

on
0

Gavin Newsom Breaks Through by Trolling Trump at His Own Meme Game

on



California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken an unusual approach to battling Donald Trump: he’s fighting fire with fire, or more accurately, memes with memes.

Over the past few weeks, Newsom’s official press office has shifted its online presence into something that looks a lot like Trump’s snappy all-caps posts, parody edits, and viral meme content. The strategy is equal parts trolling and policy messaging, but with a clear goal: counter Trump and the Republican agenda on their own turf.

One viral example: Newsom posted, “DONALD TRUMP, THE LOWEST POLLING PRESIDENT IN RECENT HISTORY, THIS IS YOUR SECOND-TO-LAST WARNING!!! STAND DOWN NOW OR CALIFORNIA WILL COUNTER-STRIKE (LEGALLY!) TO DESTROY YOUR ILLEGAL CROOKED MAPS IN RED STATES.”

This came after Trump pushed a Texas redistricting plan that could deliver Republicans several extra seats in Congress. In response, Newsom announced a special election in California to redraw its own congressional maps, branding the November vote as “Liberation Day” a jab at Trump’s rhetoric.

At a press conference, Newsom defended his aggressive online style: “If you’ve got issues with what I’m putting out, you should have concerns about what he’s putting out as president.” He argued that Trump’s posts have been normalized for years while Democrats too often avoid hitting back in the same way.

And the memes keep coming. Trump has been called “Donald ‘TACO’ Trump” (short for “Trump Always Chickens Out”), his speeches remixed into Star Wars villain voiceovers, and his adviser Stephen Miller compared to Lord Voldemort.

Why This Matters Politically


What might sound like internet banter actually has political weight. Newsom’s polling numbers have been climbing since February, putting him among the top three Democrats in early 2028 primary matchups. Strategists suggest that Democrats right now are looking less for ideological purity and more for someone who can go toe-to-toe with Trump.

As political consultant Mike Madrid put it: “It’s not about whether you’re centrist or progressive it’s about being a fighter. The more aggressive Newsom gets, the more support he builds.”

Polls back this up: Newsom has jumped from 3% to as high as 11% in recent surveys, gaining momentum while Trump’s own ratings continue to slide.

The Bigger Picture: Meme Wars in Politics


Trump’s campaign has long been known for turning memes into political weapons casting himself as everything from a Jedi knight to “Pope Trump.” Newsom, however, is showing that Democrats can flip that strategy around. His team is leaning into parody and cultural references to shift the online narrative and energize the Democratic base.

Not everyone is convinced this approach will work in the long run. Some strategists warn that online engagement doesn’t always translate to votes. Still, others argue that in today’s media landscape, being able to dominate attention online is a political skill in itself.

Newsom’s real test will come with his California redistricting push. If he succeeds before 2026, he not only undercuts GOP congressional gains but also strengthens his own national profile heading into 2028.

Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 16, 2025 at 11:57 AM

    Fox Noise thinks Abbott is a "Congressman"?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment