California Gov. Gavin Newsom has recently revamped his social media strategy in a bid to counter President Donald Trump and Republicans.
Newsom’s office stated that the governor is responsible for inspiring dozens of posts across social media platforms targeting the Trump administration and Texas Republican lawmakers, with the campaign ramping up after the Lone Star State’s redistricting efforts began.
“This is a reflection of the governor and a small team taking cues from him,” a spokesperson for Newsom’s office told The Epoch Times by email.
“We know everyone wants to know ‘the person’ doing this, but the truth is this is a reflection only of Gavin Newsom, his years of consumption of right-wing media, and now he’s using what he’s learned for good: holding a mirror to MAGA.”
Many of the posts include words typed out in capital letters and end with Trump’s trademark phrase, “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
“I, GAVIN CHRISTOPHER NEWSOM, AMERICA’S FAVORITE GOVERNOR (MANY SAY), WILL HOST THE GREATEST PRESS CONFERENCE OF ALL TIME. AFTER THAT—‘THE MAPS’ WILL SOON BE RELEASED. VERY MUCH ANTICIPATED. HISTORY MADE. THE GOP’S RIGGED GAME IS OVER!!!!
“THE PEOPLE RETAKE CONGRESS. YOU'RE WELCOME, AMERICA! LIBERATION DAY!!! THAT IS WHAT MANY ARE CALLING IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER—GCN.”
The account later suggested that Newsom deserves the Nobel Peace Prize “because of the ‘most incredible maps in the history of mapping’ (even Columbus).”
“I, GAVIN C. NEWSOM, ACTUALLY EARNED IT. THE WORLD WILL BE SAFER, KINDER, AND FRANKLY MORE ‘BEAUTIFUL’ BECAUSE OF MY MAPS.”
Comments, both supportive and critical, flooded the posts. Artificial intelligence was used to create dozens of unique memes that are now spreading around the internet.
Since Aug. 1, Newsom’s press account on X has gained more than 325,000 new followers, produced more than 300 million impressions, and received 1.8 million profile visits, with the engagement rate up by more than 30 percent, according to a statement Newsom’s office provided to The Epoch Times.
The attention spurred numerous interviews with media outlets nationwide that received more than 30 million views.
Trump’s press team responded to inquiries about the governor’s posts with a curt rejection.
“Who cares?” Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman, told The Epoch Times by email.
Polling data suggest that the social media campaign could be resonating; an Echelon Insights poll from Aug. 8 to Aug. 14 showed Newsom’s popularity rising to 13 percent among Democratic voters, although he still trails 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s 26 percent.
Democratic strategists welcomed the mimicry of Trump’s communication strategies.
“Strong communication isn’t just about politics, but accountability and accessibility,” David Carlucci, a former Democratic state senator from New York, told The Epoch Times by text on Aug. 21. “Newsom’s strategy demonstrates his belief that meeting people where they are—whether that’s in a town hall, on a community block, or on a digital platform—is essential to governing effectively.
“The governor’s strategy highlights how politicians need to adapt and use new media to cut through partisan noise and speak directly with constituents about policies that impact their lives.”
Vice President JD Vance is also a target of Newsom’s social media campaign. It dubbed him “Just Dance” Vance and photoshopped the vice president’s face into an image of Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, the Australian breakdancer who went viral last year for her performance during the Olympics.
Vance has noted differences between Trump’s style and that of the California governor.
“He just is who he is.”
Although some in the political world believe that Newsom is gearing up for a presidential run and seeking to elevate his national exposure, one Republican suggested that the move is strategic.
“Newsom has watched and studied President Trump, especially the information warfare part; he is now trying to apply those lessons to take control of the Democratic Party,” Steve Bannon, host of the podcast “Bannon’s War Room” and former White House chief strategist during the first Trump administration, told The Epoch Times by text on Aug. 21.
“The posts are both to get attention and to try to instill a fighting spirit in a demoralized Democratic Party.”
Bannon said the president’s broad victory in the November election put the opposing party in a tight position politically.
“They’ve lost 4.5 million voters who punched out of being actually registered Democrats,” he said. “That exemplifies a party in extremis. Newsom is trying to counter that.”
He advised the GOP to unify around election integrity and voting issues.
“Republicans must go to General Quarters to defeat Newsom’s Redistricting Steal in November,” Bannon said.
“If we fail to stop him here and now, he will only gain stature among dispirited Democrats. The only thing that will work against Newsom is to defeat Newsom.”
