By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has adopted a new online strategy, using social media to directly mimic Donald Trump’s tone and writing style. This involves publishing content deliberately designed to be rude, brash, and self-aggrandizing, mirroring Trump’s own online behavior. While some critics have labeled the content as childish, the strategy aims to satirize Trump by emulating his approach, making criticism of Newsom’s content simultaneously a criticism of Trump’s. This approach has been noted by Politico as Newsom “holding a mirror up to MAGA.”
Read the original article here
Conservative critics of Gavin Newsom’s social media feed appear to miss the point. The essence of their criticism, which often centers on the governor’s content being “childish, foolish, and unserious,” inherently demands a parallel critique of Donald Trump’s own online presence.
The core issue isn’t a misunderstanding of Newsom’s tactics; rather, it’s a deliberate disregard for logic and ethical consistency. These critics operate within a framework of reactionary thought, where societal structures are perceived through a lens of identity-based hierarchies. Their “us versus them” mentality allows them to embrace double standards without batting an eye. They can adore Trump’s often nonsensical pronouncements while simultaneously expressing outrage at Newsom’s parodies, all while maintaining that their actions are moral because they are “good” people.
This hypocrisy is, in fact, the entire point. It’s a tool of power wielded over those who value truth, logic, and morality. For those critics, winning—achieving dominance—is the ultimate objective. Anything that supports that goal, regardless of its inherent contradiction, is embraced. As Jean-Paul Sartre might have observed, they revel in bad faith, seeking to intimidate and disorient rather than persuade through sound argument. They’re not concerned with the validity of their criticism; they’re focused solely on controlling the narrative and gaining an advantage.
It’s as if they are completely missing the satire, the obvious mockery. It’s a sort of cognitive dissonance. They don’t get parody. They seem constitutionally incapable of seeing the reflection of their own behavior. It’s like watching a show that is designed to make fun of the right wing, and then the right wing loves the show!
The truth is that this isn’t just about Newsom; it’s about how conservatives choose to engage with the world. Their sense of humor, if it can even be called that, often seems unable to recognize satire. Their focus remains on identifying and attacking what they perceive as the enemy, and they seem to have an easier time ignoring the core truths.
Many of the critics operate within a media bubble, constantly fed with pro-Trump and anti-Democrat narratives. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle of weaponized hypocrisy. They are not able to see the forest for the trees.
It’s a case of “it’s only bad when Democrats do it”. Newsom’s approach is designed to expose both Trump’s absurdity and the hypocrisy of his supporters. He’s stripping away the pretense and revealing the emperor’s lack of clothes. It’s an intentional move to garner national attention and build popularity.
Newsom’s imitation of Trump’s style is a tactic, and their reaction confirms its effectiveness. They are being called out and their response proves the point. It’s a strategy that resonates with a segment of the population while simultaneously infuriating the MAGA world, which is, perhaps, the precise goal.