The ongoing meme clash between President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom is intensifying, with both figures trading barbs over the past day. Trump recently took aim at Newsom in various posts, which included a video showing a man seemingly yelling while hitting a punching bag adorned with Trump’s image.
In another post, a meme depicted Newsom wearing a “Trump 2028” hat, reinforcing Trump’s jab at the Democratic presidential candidate.
Newsom responded quickly on social media platform X late Wednesday with his own memes, aiming to fire back at the president.
One of Newsom’s memes highlights a conversation about Trump’s health, using a clip of an old medical alert commercial featuring someone yelling, “I fell, and I won’t wake up!” In another post, he humorously showcased a toddler-sized doll of Trump in a diaper, showcasing the tantrum Trump allegedly threw.
The back-and-forth has prompted some Democrats to cheer Newsom’s approach, especially those look for a figure in the party to challenge Trump effectively. Following losses in the previous election, many in the party are attracted to Newsom’s recent rise in various 2028 polls, where he appears to be among the top candidates.
As Garry South, a Democratic strategist, noted, the best strategy against Trump might not just be fear but also mockery: “He actually descends to the latter. Ah, wow, how powerful and omnipotent I must be. People are afraid of me.” He emphasized that turning Trump into a target could be an effective move, as it could undermine Trump’s ego.
Trump and Newsom’s exchange isn’t limited to just memes. The president also questioned Newsom’s management of wildfires in California when reporters brought up the topic during a press conference. Trump remarked, “I looked at him with my hand, saying, ‘What’s going on with my hand? There’s something wrong with him.”
In turn, Newsom retorted with clips showcasing Trump’s hands, which appeared to be covered with makeup in a bid to hide bruises. A Republican strategist close to Trump opined that this is a battle Newsom might not be able to win. “Look, there’s only one Trump, and he’s good at this,” they said.
