Undercurrents Is Gavin Newsom's cringe Trump strategy actually working?
Aug 21, 2025
The podcast dives into Gavin Newsom's social media strategies, where he adopts a Trump-esque style to boost his national profile. It discusses the challenges he faces juggling his role as a governor and potential presidential candidate in 2028. The conversation unfolds around the evolution of political humor and its impact on engagement, questioning the authenticity of Newsom’s approach in a low-trust environment. It also contrasts his tactics with Trump's and examines the shifting norms in political communication.
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Mimicry Is Boosting Newsom's Reach
- Gavin Newsom's Trump-style social posts are working to generate national attention and followers quickly.
- Harry Enten's data shows large follower gains across X, TikTok, and Instagram since mid-June and January respectively.
Two Jobs: Governor And Presidential Prospect
- Newsom juggles governing California and building a national profile for a possible 2028 presidential bid.
- He can prioritize primary voters and national name recognition without risking reelection in a deep-blue state.
Primary Strategy Trumps General Risk
- Focusing on winning a Democratic primary lets Newsom ignore alienating Republicans for now.
- Primary voters have fuzzy memories and a full primary cycle to reassess candidates later.