California Governor Gavin Newsom’s social media strategy of mimicking President Donald Trump’s online posting style is generating significant political benefits ahead of a potential 2028 presidential campaign, according to a detailed analysis by CNN data analyst Harry Enten.
During an appearance on “Laura Coates Live” on Tuesday, August 20, Enten presented compelling data showing Newsom’s Trump-style social media campaign has dramatically expanded his national profile. The governor’s press office account on X increased its followers by 450 percent since mid-June, while his official TikTok and Instagram accounts gained more than one million followers since January.
Google searches for “Gavin Newsom” have surged dramatically, with Enten noting increases of 1,300 percent on June 1 and another 500 percent on August 1. The CNN analyst emphasized that in politics, particularly for those considering entering the 2028 race, generating attention remains paramount.
Newsom’s parody approach involves replicating Trump’s signature all-caps social media rants, creating nicknames for political rivals, and using similar rhetorical flourishes. The strategy has drawn sharp criticism from Republican figures, with Vice President JD Vance addressing the issue during a Wednesday appearance on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle.”
Vance argued that Newsom’s imitation misses what he considers Trump’s core political advantage. The vice president suggested that Trump’s success stems from authenticity, indicating that the California governor’s mimicry strategy ignores this fundamental element. Vance advised Democrats to avoid sounding like “crazy people” and emphasized the importance of being genuine rather than copying others’ styles.
The effectiveness of Newsom’s approach extends beyond social media metrics to measurable political gains. Enten’s analysis revealed that as of June 1, multiple potential Democratic candidates were polling at similar levels, with Newsom at 11 percent, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 10 percent, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at eight percent. By August, Newsom had increased his lead substantially to 24 percent, while his competitors remained relatively steady.
The governor’s strategy has triggered responses from multiple Republican figures beyond Vance. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized Newsom during a Wednesday appearance on Fox News, questioning why the California governor focuses on social media trolling rather than addressing permit issues for wildfire rebuilding efforts in Southern California. Texas Senator Ted Cruz also weighed in during a Fox News appearance, characterizing Newsom as skilled at avoiding factual discussions about California’s challenges.
Trump himself eventually responded to Newsom’s sustained mockery campaign early Thursday morning, marking his first direct engagement since the trolling began. The president posted on Truth Social claiming that Newsom was “way down in the polls” and characterizing him as someone destroying California. However, recent polling data contradicts Trump’s assertion, with surveys showing Newsom maintaining strong support within his party.
Newsom quickly responded to Trump’s attack with a one-word question on X: “Triggered?” The exchange demonstrated the real-time nature of their ongoing social media confrontation and suggested that Newsom’s strategy is indeed provoking the reactions he seeks.
Fox News personalities have also criticized Newsom’s approach, with host Dana Perino suggesting the governor should stop his Twitter activities entirely. She questioned where Newsom’s wife was during this period, suggesting that a spouse should intervene to prevent what she characterized as embarrassing behavior. Newsom’s press office responded by pointing out the apparent inconsistency in criticizing his posts while not applying similar scrutiny to Trump’s social media activity.
Recent polling in California shows Newsom leading potential 2028 Democratic primary matchups within his home state. A POLITICO survey revealed that 75 percent of registered Democratic voters expressed excitement about a possible Newsom campaign, compared to 67 percent for former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The governor has defended his social media strategy as a deliberate effort to highlight what he considers unpresidential behavior from Trump. Newsom indicated to media last week that his posts serve to demonstrate concerns about normalizing Trump’s online conduct, suggesting that critics should apply equal scrutiny to both politicians’ social media activities.
Enten’s analysis suggests that prediction markets are responding positively to Newsom’s strategy, though he noted that the ultimate test will come when actual votes are cast and whether the approach resonates with a general electorate beyond Democratic primary voters. The Daily Beast reported that White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson dismissed the CNN coverage, questioning why Democratic praise from CNN constitutes news.
