Bulwark Takes Gavin Newsom is Going HARD Against Trump. Will It Work?
Aug 20, 2025
Hannah Youst, a Bulwark colleague known for her insights on politics, joins to discuss Gavin Newsom's provocative social media tactics. They analyze his 'dark woke' approach that riles up MAGA supporters while simultaneously boosting his national profile. The conversation dives into the double standards in political aggression, the impact of Trump's behavior on political discourse, and the challenges Newsom faces as a 'California liberal.' They also touch on the ethics of gerrymandering and its effect on political power dynamics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Mimicking Trump To Reframe Perception
- Gavin Newsom is mimicking Trump's shock-and-awe social style to seize attention and needle MAGA.
- That asymmetry matters because Democrats are held to higher behavioral standards than Trump, so imitation can recalibrate perceptions.
Quit Impulsive Twittering
- Stop letting staff or impulses run a public Twitter account if it risks making you look foolish.
- If you're personally tweeting, put the phone away or face public backlash and internal frustration.
Behavioral Asymmetry Between Parties
- Political audiences excuse Trump's behavior as a force of nature while policing Democrats far more strictly.
- That asymmetry creates both constraints and opportunities for Democratic figures who break norms strategically.
