California Gov. Gavin Newsom, speaking to the press while flanked by law enforcement officers, explained the idea behind his viral and attention-grabbing social media mimicry of President Donald Trump‘s messaging style, saying the mockery is meant to guard against Trump’s behavior being “normalized.”
Newsom: This cannot be normalized. And yes so I'm highlighting some just just blatant hypocrisy. Yes, we are putting a mirror up to the lunacy that is trump's tweets and his grift. pic.twitter.com/S1qLWc7pa7
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 28, 2025
Offering insight into the reasons for his social strategy, in which Newsom takes on a solipsistic bravado and insults those in the MAGAverse with Trump-toned disses, the Governor said: “I’m highlighting some just just blatant hypocrisy. Yes, we are putting a mirror up to the lunacy that is trump’s tweets and his grift. The madness of someone who would dress up as the Pope and tweet that out or put his face up there on Mt. Rushmore in a Superman costume — the President of the United States. I do think it’s important to put that mirror, that lens back and have everyone reflect on it and say is this…how we accepted this as normal? Why aren’t we calling this out more clearly?”
Newsom also targeted what he characterizes as Trump’s dubious self-identification as a law and order beacon, saying the President’s pose is that of an authoritarian, not someone sincerely “focused on the issue of crime and violence.”
If he were, Newsom suggests, Trump would send troops — which he has done in Washington, DC and Los Angeles — to places where they are more needed. Newsom presented a list of Southern states — red states largely populated by Trump voters — with higher murder rates than California.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) represents a state with a murder rate Newsom said is four times the rate in California, yet Trump has not threatened to put boots on the ground there. (Newsom says this is something “you’ll not see on Fox News.”)
“Where’s the President of the United States? I thought he cared,” Newsom said. “These are his states that voted for him,” the Governor added.
Newsom: Alabama is top three. Where is the President? I thought he cared, these are his states who voted for him. His state of mind doesn't seem to be focused on the issue of crime and violence… He reflects over the last three days talking about being a dictator. pic.twitter.com/gS4Sq5aVtI
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 28, 2025
Newsom also mentions Alabama and Mississippi, where Newsom said “the murder is out of control.”
Newsom: Perhaps the president could deploy the National Guard in every corner of Mississippi. Murder rate is out of control there. And the governor may want to make that phone call.
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 28, 2025
If the president is sincere about the issue of crime and violence, there's no question in my… pic.twitter.com/iMyOXSCRmP
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