How Gavin Newsom is winning the internet

In the digital battleground where political narratives are won and lost in real-time, California Governor Gavin Newsom is doing something remarkable: he's beating Donald Trump at his own game.

Over the past week, Newsom has fundamentally transformed his social media presence from standard gubernatorial messaging into a sophisticated campaign of "meme warfare" that directly targets Trump and MAGA Republicans.

The strategy is as simple as it is effective: deploy the same tactics that made Trump a viral sensation, but turn them against him. (And it should be noted, recently, Trump has been posting in Sentence Case, NOT ALL CAPS.)

Newsom's new approach reads like a masterclass in online political warfare.

His posts now feature Trump's signature all-caps style, complete with cheeky nicknames and exaggerated statements, but signed "GCN" instead of "DJT"—a not-so-subtle mockery of the former president's social media habits.

The governor has embraced internet culture with references to "Liberation Day," "BIG STAIRS," and "TINY HANDS," creating content that energizes Democratic supporters who have long felt outgunned in the online political arena.

When Trump posted a message that only read "Bela,” Newsom's team pounced:

Perhaps most significantly, Newsom has used his official press office accounts rather than his personal profiles to amplify this confrontational messaging—lending institutional weight to what might otherwise be dismissed as personal social media antics.

The strategy represents a dramatic departure from the Democratic Party's traditionally restrained approach to social media.

For years, progressive politicians watched as Trump and the right dominated online spaces through provocative content and viral memes. Newsom has flipped the script.

When Texas pushed forward with redistricting efforts, Newsom didn't just issue a measured statement—he promised aggressive counter-actions in California and announced special elections, all delivered with the kind of humorous, viral tone that generates engagement and spreads rapidly across platforms.

This isn't just trolling for the sake of it. Newsom's team understands that in our attention economy, the loudest voice often wins, regardless of policy substance.

By matching Trump's energy and spectacle, Newsom is ensuring that Democratic narratives don't get drowned out by right-wing noise.

The reaction has been predictably polarized. Democratic supporters and progressive influencers have embraced Newsom's approach as a necessary evolution in political communication.

After years of feeling outmaneuvered online, many see his tactics as providing the "counterattack" Democrats have desperately needed.

Republicans, unsurprisingly, have dismissed the strategy as "petty" and "unprofessional." Fox "News” called it both “childish” and “insane.”

But their criticism misses the point entirely—Newsom isn't trying to win over Republican voters. He's demonstrating that Democrats can be just as effective at viral political content as their opponents.

He’s also holding up a mirror to how insane Trump is—and they don’t like what they see.

Some Democratic strategists have expressed concerns that viral posts don't necessarily translate to real-world political support among less-engaged voters. But this critique ignores the broader strategic value of what Newsom is doing.

Newsom's social media evolution isn't just about entertainment—it's about narrative control.

In an era where political discourse is increasingly shaped by viral content and meme culture, ceding this space to the right means ceding control over how political stories are told and understood.

By engaging directly with Trump's online persona, Newsom forces the conversation onto his terms.

Instead of responding to Trump's agenda, he's creating his own viral moments that put Trump on the defensive. It's a fundamental shift in political dynamics that other Democratic leaders would do well to study.

The strategy also serves Newsom's obvious national ambitions. By raising his profile through viral content, he's positioning himself as a leader who understands how modern political communication works—a skill that will be essential for any future presidential campaign.

Critics may argue that meme warfare contributes to political polarization and distracts from substantive policy debates. But that horse left the barn long ago.

Trump proved that viral content and spectacle are now central to American political discourse. The question isn't whether this is good or bad—it's whether Democrats will adapt or be left behind.

Newsom has chosen to adapt, and the results speak for themselves. His posts generate thousands of likes, shares, and comments within hours. They become trending topics.

Most importantly, they ensure that Democratic voices are part of the conversation instead of being overwhelmed by right-wing online dominance.

In a political landscape where attention equals power, Gavin Newsom has figured out how to win. Other Democrats should take notes.