California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard pivot to Trump-like, all-caps combat on X got a notable thumb-up from Bill Maher — and a sharp put-down from President Donald Trump — capping a week in which Democrats openly tested a more confrontational online strategy.
On the Aug. 22 episode of HBO’s “Real Time,” Maher praised Newsom’s recent posts that parody Trump’s cadence and bravado. “I’ve never seen a Democrat do this… I think it’s very funny,” Maher told his panel, adding that Newsom is “imitating Trump’s exact style.” In a separate riff from the segment, Maher quipped, “Don’t try to outsmart people. You have to out-stupid them.”
Trump noticed. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Aug. 22, he called Newsom “an incompetent guy” with “a good line of bull—,” a jab the governor’s account swatted back online with Trump-like terseness: “Such low energy. SAD!”
What triggered the exchange
Since mid-August, posts from Newsom’s press office on X have leaned into maximalist, Trump-style showmanship — capital letters, exclamation points, and self-referential swagger. One widely shared message on Aug. 20 declared: “WOW! FOX NEWS CAN’T STOP TALKING ABOUT ME (GAVIN C. NEWSOM), AMERICA’S FAVORITE GOVERNOR!!!” Another on Aug. 21 weighed in on the uproar over Cracker Barrel’s rebrand: “WHAT IS WRONG WITH CRACKER BARREL?? KEEP YOUR BEAUTIFUL LOGO!!! … WOKE IS DEAD!!” The posts drew wall-to-wall attention across cable and conservative media — and, increasingly, from mainstream outlets dissecting the tactic.
Newsom has framed the edgier tone as intentional. On Aug. 20, he told reporters that Democrats are entering a “new” phase and “are going to meet fire with fire,” arguing the party must project energy and urgency heading into the coming battles.
Why it matters
Strategists say Newsom’s approach tests whether Democrats can blunt Trump’s dominance of the attention economy by reflecting his style back at him — and whether that energizes supporters without alienating persuadable voters. Analyses this week noted the gambit has spiked Newsom’s visibility and social engagement while provoking fierce backlash from Trump allies and some media figures. It also feeds long-running speculation that the California governor is positioning himself for the 2028 Democratic presidential race.
The media crossfire
The Trump-style posts became a cable-news fixation. Fox News segments scolded the tone as “childish,” while other programs roasted conservative outrage, particularly over the Cracker Barrel logo change that some on the right labeled “woke.” The flap even rippled through markets amid coverage of the restaurant chain’s rebrand.
What each side is saying
- Bill Maher: Newsom is “playing a new game,” and the trolling is “very funny,” though his panel also debated whether “out-stupid” politics is healthy for discourse.
- Gavin Newsom: Democrats must “meet fire with fire” and project “a renewed sense of purpose,” leaning into a more aggressive, highly online posture.
- Donald Trump: Newsom is “incompetent” with a “good line of bull—,” as the president sharpened his own attacks from the White House.
What’s next to watch
- Does the tactic scale? Expect more parody-tinged posts from Newsom’s team as they test the ceiling for engagement — and the floor for backlash.
- Spillover into policy fights: The online theatrics sit atop real battles (e.g., redistricting), where tone could influence fundraising, turnout, and coalition-building.
- Copycats (or break-glass warnings): Other Democrats may try the style — or publicly reject it — as they weigh whether mirroring Trump helps or hurts with swing voters.
Reader intent: quick answers
- What happened? Maher publicly applauded Newsom’s Trump-style trolling on Aug. 22; Trump hit back hours earlier from the Oval Office, calling Newsom “incompetent.”
- Why does it matter? It’s a live test of whether Democrats can neutralize Trump’s online dominance by adopting (and mocking) his voice — with potential 2028 implications.
- What’s next? Watch for whether the shtick broadens Newsom’s coalition or hardens opposition, and whether other Democrats borrow or shun the approach.
Bottom line: Newsom’s embrace of Trumpian rhetoric has become a storyline in its own right — one that Maher is happy to encourage and Trump is eager to swat down — as both parties probe what kind of political language actually moves voters in 2025.
