Comedian Bill Maher recently commended California Governor Gavin Newsom’s approach to social media.
Maher noted, “Gavin Newsom is really going after Trump right now. It’s something I’ve never seen Democrats do before. It’s fascinating… he’s copying Trump’s exact style.”
He also remarked, “This is a newspaper: And inevitably, he will fail as always, which is sad. I’m a fan of our nation, and my peaceful governor will save America yet again. A lot of folks are reaching out to me.”
Newsom and his team have been adopting Trump’s rhetorical style, crafting social media updates that echo the president’s favorite phrases, such as “Beautiful.”
“I believe Gavin has a natural understanding of American culture at this point in time. It’s not about trying to overturn people, but about stopping them,” Maher expressed.
Some Democratic strategists are supportive of Newsom’s approach as the party looks to recover from their November setbacks and gain traction heading into mid-2026. However, some close to the governor’s office believe his efforts have missed the mark.
Trump’s allies commented this week, “If he aimed to get under President Trump’s skin, that didn’t happen. It was seen as amusing by everyone here.”
“Let’s be real, there’s only one Trump,” one person added.
In a discussion with Fox Business, Vice President Vance remarked, “Assuming Newsom could imitate Donald Trump’s style overlooks the fundamental brilliance behind Trump’s political success.”
“He just is himself. You have to be yourself and actually engage with the issues,” Vance continued. “It’s not that complicated.”
Earlier this month, Newsom referred to his strategy as a “no regrets approach,” mentioning he needed to “fight fire with fire” to counter the Texas GOP’s attempts to redraw congressional districts ahead of mid-2026.
In response, Trump attacked Newsom on Wednesday, stating that the California governor was “a pathway to polls.”
Trump added, “He used to be known for ruining California’s past greatness. I’m going to save California!!”
