Vice President JD Vance has openly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for adopting a social media strategy that mirrors President Donald Trump’s distinctive style. During an interview with Fox News host Will Cain, Vance expressed frustration with Newsom’s apparent attempt to emulate Trump’s approach, calling it a ‘cheap imitation’ that lacks authenticity. Vance, a prominent Republican, argued that such inauthenticity alienates voters and undermines the credibility of the Democratic Party.
The criticism comes after a series of X posts from Newsom’s office in August that went viral for their striking resemblance to Trump’s social media style. The posts featured all caps, nickname calling, and the use of Trump’s signature closing, ‘GCN,’ which was a nod to the former president’s initials. One particularly notable post claimed, ‘WOW! TOMORROW HISTORY WILL BE MADE. KaroLYIN LEAVITT WILL HAVE NO ANSWERS FOR THE SUPPOSED “FAKE MEDIA” ABOUT CALIFORNIA’S BEAUTIFUL MAPS. PEOPLE ARE SAYING THEY ARE THE GREATEST MAPS EVER CREATED — EVEN BETTER THAN CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS’. DONALD “THE FAILURE” TRUMP BE WARNED, TOMORROW MAY BE THE WORST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. ALL BECAUSE YOU “MISSED THE DEADLINE.” LIBERATION DAY FOR AMERICA!!! — GCN’
Will Cain, during the interview, noted that Newsom’s mimicry could be resonating with some blue voters, highlighting the potential political fallout in the race for the Democratic nomination. A Morning Consult survey reported an eight-point increase in Newsom’s support among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents since June, suggesting that the strategy might be working for some. However, Vance maintained that the inauthenticity is not what voters want, warning against the party’s reliance on such tactics.
Vance also criticized New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, suggesting that his constant criticism of the country might be out of step with the values of many voters, particularly those who have benefited from the nation’s prosperity. Reflecting on his late grandmother, whom he affectionately called ‘Mamaw,’ Vance lamented that she would be deeply out of step with today’s Democratic Party, calling the current direction ‘crazy’ and not representing her values.
In addition to his critique of Newsom and Mamdani, Vance encouraged Democrats to embrace a more lighthearted approach to politics, suggesting that Trump’s influence on the political landscape has been to foster a sense of humor and self-deprecation. He urged Democrats to relax their serious tone and occasionally laugh at themselves, arguing that this approach could be more appealing to voters in a polarized climate.
Despite the mixed reactions to Newsom’s social media strategy, the debate over authenticity in political communication continues to shape the dynamics within the Democratic Party. Vance’s comments underscore the growing tension between maintaining a consistent identity and adapting to the digital age’s communication demands. As the primary season progresses, the implications of these strategies for the broader party and its candidates remain a subject of intense scrutiny.