Newsom’s Trump Imitation: Loud Claims, Hollow Leadership

Gavin Newsom is yelling on the internet again. This time, he’s doing it in all caps, shouting like a man trying to be someone he’s not. And that someone is Donald Trump.

Newsom, the California governor who’s spent years mocking Trump, is now copying his online style—caps lock rants, dramatic threats, and big talk with little follow-through. The latest example? Newsom jumped on X (formerly Twitter) to declare he’d “END THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY.” That line, with its forced drama and obvious imitation, wasn’t just about Trump—it was a signal to Democrats that Newsom wants to play kingmaker in 2026. His plan? Redraw California’s congressional districts to help Democrats take back the House and use that as a launching pad to impeach Trump.

Let’s be clear: Newsom isn’t serious about impeachment. He’s serious about power. And he’s looking for a way to stay relevant as his own political brand flattens. California is burning—literally—and yet Newsom is spending his time online, shouting into the void and pretending that he’s the one who can stop Trump. He’s betting that primary voters in 2028 will care more about his “resistance” than about the wreckage he’s left behind in California.

This is a man with no real wins to run on. After two full terms as governor, Newsom’s biggest headlines come from social media stunts and culture war posturing. His state is bleeding taxpayers, crime is up, homelessness is everywhere, and wildfires are out of control. The Palisades and Eaton fires, both of which started on state-owned land, are just the latest reminder that he’s failed at governing. But instead of owning it, Newsom blamed the federal government and even borrowed Trump’s old line about “raking the forests.” Not long ago, he mocked that phrase. Now it’s his, because he’s run out of ideas.

And while cities in California choke on smoke and communities wait for rebuilding help, Newsom’s focus is on redrawing political maps. That’s where the real game is. California is already deep blue, but Newsom wants to squeeze out a few more seats—just enough to flip the House. That’s not about California voters. It’s about national leverage. He’s trying to buy himself a seat at the impeachment table, because he knows that once Trump is back in full command, the Democrats’ only move is sabotage.

But here’s the twist: Newsom is trying to be the anti-Trump by acting more like Trump. It’s a copycat strategy that lacks both the authenticity and the charisma. Trump’s style works because it reflects strength, clarity, and confidence. Newsom’s version feels like a college student doing a bad impression—loud, forced, and hollow.

Even liberal commentators are starting to notice. Byron York put it plainly: Newsom is turning himself into a Trump parody. He’s obsessed. Trump has already set the agenda for 2025 and beyond, and the Democrats, with no clear leader and no real plan, are scrambling for attention. Newsom thinks he can fill the vacuum with bluster. But imitation without substance doesn’t win elections—it just proves you’ve lost the plot.

Behind all the noise, the calculation is simple. Newsom wants to be president. He knows he can’t get there by touting his record. So he’s picking fights, drawing maps, and screaming in all caps, hoping someone will mistake that for leadership. But the voters—especially in California—aren’t buying it. They’ve seen the empty promises, the crumbling infrastructure, the rising prices, and the broken schools.

And while Newsom plays dress-up as Trump online, Trump himself is back in the White House, running the show. The contrast couldn’t be clearer. One man is getting things done. The other is yelling from the sidelines, hoping someone still cares.