California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched another pointed social media jab at former President Donald Trump, this time targeting a post by the musician Kid Rock. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday 30 December 2025, continues a pattern of public mockery from the Democratic governor towards the likely Republican presidential contender.
The Golf Cart Snapshot That Sparked a Feud
The latest episode began when Kid Rock, a vocal Trump supporter, shared a black-and-white photograph of himself and Donald Trump riding together in a golf cart. The singer boasted about his round of golf with the former president, but the post contained noticeable errors, including misspellings of a song title and the name of the legendary opera singer Luciano Pavarotti.
Seizing the opportunity, the press account for Governor Newsom's office reshared the image. It was accompanied by a simple, yet barbed, two-word caption: “cute couple.” This move is the latest in a series of calculated online provocations aimed at Trump by Newsom's team.
A Pattern of Political Trolling
This is far from an isolated incident in the ongoing political theatre between the two figures. Governor Newsom has previously targeted Trump concerning the release of redacted files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Furthermore, Newsom has directly trolled Kid Rock in the past. The governor's office once shared a satirical concert poster aimed at the singer, which prompted a crude and expletive-laden response from Kid Rock himself. The musician has been a consistent presence at Trump's public events, offering his steadfast support.
Broader Context and Reactions
The use of music has become a contentious side-note in Trump's political rallies. His campaign's use of Luciano Pavarotti's recordings has repeatedly drawn objections from the late tenor's family, who have expressed their disapproval of the association.
Newsom's latest post, mocking the misspelt Kid Rock tribute, underscores the increasingly personal and meme-driven nature of modern political rivalries. It highlights how social media platforms serve as a primary battleground for shaping public perception and scoring points with respective bases, often through satire and ridicule rather than policy debate.
The exchange demonstrates the blurred lines between entertainment, celebrity endorsement, and high-stakes politics. As the political cycle intensifies, such personalised skirmishes are likely to become more frequent, with figures like Newsom using every opportunity to define their opposition in unflattering terms.
