By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Governor Gavin Newsom responded to Republican gerrymandering efforts with a defiant social media post directed at former President Donald Trump, using all caps and quotation marks. Newsom threatened to redraw California’s maps to counter efforts in red states, demanding Trump call off the redistricting. This sparked a reaction, with Newsom announcing a press conference and mocking Trump’s nickname, “TACO,” referencing his inconsistent tariff policies. Newsom’s aggressive stance comes amidst a redistricting “arms race” and challenges the legitimacy of plans in states like Texas.
Read the original article here
Newsom’s Twitter game is strong, or, as it appears, very strong. It seems that the California governor decided to channel his inner “Taco Trump” in a series of tweets, adopting the former president’s signature all-caps style and bravado. The trigger? A missed deadline, apparently, by “Taco Trump,” as Newsom now calls him, to… well, the details aren’t laid out directly, but the implication is clear: the fight against red-state gerrymandering is on, and California is ready to unleash its “new, more beautiful maps.” The message, delivered in a tone remarkably similar to Trump’s Truth Social pronouncements, is a direct challenge, a deliberate mirroring of the man himself. It’s a calculated move, designed to get under Trump’s skin, to provoke a response.
Newsom’s follow-up tweet, promising a “BIG PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK WITH POWERFUL DEMS and GAVIN NEWSOM” and a devastating plan for “MAGA,” continues the strategy. This isn’t just about policy; it’s about perception. It’s a public show of force, designed to project confidence and undermine Trump’s image of strength. It’s about using his own tactics against him.
The immediate reaction is a sense of, “Yeah, that’s exactly what needs to be done.” This is an echo of the call to arms. Mimic him, belittle him, make him look small and stupid. Dismantle himself. He just needs a little help pushing him over the edge. Some would say this is a natural progression, especially considering the demographics in play, as is the case in Texas. Democrats represent a larger chunk of the population, but they are unconstitutionally gerrymandered and overtaken by a corrupt government.
The focus then shifts to Texas, and for good reason. The state, which is often painted as a solid red territory, is actually much more complex. With a significant percentage of registered voters aligned with the Democratic Party, along with a sizable unaffiliated bloc, the reality on the ground is one of potential and unfulfilled opportunity. The current state of Texas is the product of what’s been seen as an abuse of power. The idea that the state’s districts have been manipulated to favor Republicans is seen to be the cause, so, drawing new voter districts. Newsom’s move, then, is a direct response to these manipulations. The irony is that the Texas GOP may be gerrymandered to its optimal advantage, and by trying to gain more seats they may lose what they have.
The article brings up the fact that California and Illinois’ population is far larger than Texas’s. The implication here is that California is not just making threats; it’s preparing to fight. And the Texas GOP, already teetering on the edge, is in a bad spot, with a Trump who is not as popular as he is perceived to be. They deserve what is coming, and the social media charade is going to be epic. There’s no good response.
The strategy is clear: confront Trump in his own language. It’s the language of all caps, of insults, of self-aggrandizement. To some, it may feel extra, but the vibe is good. The question that looms is, will MAGAts recognize the mockery, or will they simply assume that this is how politicians talk? And is there a better way to do this? The response is pretty unanimous. The only way to beat a weakling posing as a bully is to bully him back while he cries.
In a world where voters seem to be their own worst enemy, the shift in Texas is critical. The state, with its shifting demographics and open primary system, represents a battleground. The constant bending of the knee is not the answer. California is using counter-trolling, and if this is what the prevailing Dem voter opinion is going into the upcoming battles, there is more work to be done. Newsom is acting. He is facilitating redistricting in California. This is a game of perception, and Newsom is playing it.