California Governor Gavin Newsom’s approach to social media, which mirrors the online style of President Donald Trump, is yielding significant political advantages as he eyes a potential 2028 presidential run, according to a comprehensive analysis by CNN data analyst Harry Enten. For more insights, refer to the CNN article.
During an appearance on “Laura Coates Live” on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Enten highlighted data showing that Newsom’s Trump-like social media tactics have substantially boosted his national presence. Since mid-June, the governor’s press office account on X has experienced a 450 percent increase in followers, while his TikTok and Instagram accounts have collectively gained over one million followers since January.
Google searches for “Gavin Newsom” have increased notably, with Enten pointing out a rise of 1,300 percent since June 1 and an additional 500 percent since August 1. He emphasized that for politicians contemplating a 2028 run, attracting attention is crucial. For further details, see this Forbes analysis.
Newsom’s social media strategy involves mimicking Trump’s well-known all-caps rants, creating nicknames for political adversaries, and employing similar rhetorical techniques. This approach has drawn criticism from Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance, who addressed the issue on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” on Wednesday.
Vance argued that while Newsom tries to imitate Trump, he misses what he believes is Trump’s main political strength—authenticity. The vice president suggested that Newsom’s strategy fails to capture this essential quality. Vance advised Democrats to avoid mimicking others and to focus on authenticity.
Newsom’s strategy has translated into political gains, according to Enten’s analysis. As of June 1, prediction market odds placed Newsom at 11 percent, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 10 percent, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at eight percent. By August, Newsom’s odds had risen to 24 percent, while his competitors remained relatively stable.
The governor’s tactics have elicited responses from several Republicans besides Vance. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized Newsom on Fox News, questioning why the California governor focuses on social media instead of addressing issues like wildfire rebuilding permits in Southern California. Texas Senator Ted Cruz also commented on Fox News, suggesting Newsom avoids addressing California’s challenges.
President Trump eventually responded to Newsom’s ongoing mockery campaign on Thursday morning, marking his first direct engagement since the campaign began. He posted on Truth Social, claiming Newsom was “way down in the polls” and accused him of harming California. However, recent polling data contradicts Trump’s statement, showing strong support for Newsom within his party.
Newsom quickly replied to Trump’s comment with a one-word post on X: “Triggered?” This exchange highlighted the real-time nature of their social media confrontation, indicating that Newsom’s tactics are provoking the reactions he seeks.
Fox News personalities have also critiqued Newsom’s methods, with host Dana Perino suggesting he should cease his X activities. She questioned the absence of Newsom’s wife during this period, implying that a spouse should intervene to prevent embarrassing behavior. Newsom countered by noting the inconsistency in criticizing his posts while not applying similar scrutiny to Trump’s social media activity.
Recent polling in California indicates Newsom leads potential Democratic primary candidates for 2028 within his state. A POLITICO survey found that 75 percent of registered Democratic voters expressed enthusiasm for a possible Newsom campaign, compared to 67 percent for former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Newsom has defended his social media strategy as an effort to highlight what he views as unpresidential behavior from Trump. He stated last week that his posts are meant to draw attention to concerns about normalizing Trump’s online conduct, suggesting 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 the ultimate test will be whether this approach resonates with a broader electorate beyond Democratic primary voters.
