President Donald Trump has responded to California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent mocking of his social media style, reviving the nickname "Gavin Newscum" in a late-night post on Truth Social. Trump wrote that Newsom is "way down in the polls" and accused him of destroying California, adding: "I will save California!!!"
The exchange follows a period of tension between the two, including disputes over wildfires and the deployment of the National Guard to suppress anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles. In recent weeks, Newsom's team has been parodying Trump's idiosyncratic posting style through the GovPressOffice X account, using all-caps declarations and childlike insults.
Newsom's team responded to Trump's "Newscum" message within nine minutes, replying with three snowflake emojis. They later reposted one of Trump's messages about MSNBC's ratings, adding the comment: "TRUMP IS IMITATING ME! – GCN."
The parody has drawn angry responses from Kid Rock and several Fox News presenters. Dana Perino criticised Newsom for the tactics, suggesting they could harm his presidential ambitions. Newsom replied with a mock post berating Perino. Tomi Lahren attacked Newsom and his "team of losers" after the governor's team jokingly confused MAGA activist Scott Presler with Representative Nancy Mace. Trace Gallagher was also targeted with a mock post.
Mediaite's Colby Hall praised Newsom's approach, saying he is "shooting fish in a barrel" and describing his feed as "an X-ray of Trumpian excess." Speaking about his parody, Newsom said: "I'm just following [Trump's] example. If you have issues with what I'm putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what he's putting out as president."
