In a move that has many political observers raising their eyebrows, California Governor Gavin Newsom took to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday to mock President Donald Trump, posting a picture of a new MAGA hat with the words “Newsom Was Right About Everything.”
The post, which was accompanied by a snarky caption saying, “New Merch Coming Soon! You’re Welcome Patriots!” has stirred up controversy and raised questions about Newsom’s motivations as he attempts to outshine Trump in the ongoing political discourse.
While Newsom’s post may have been intended to provoke and score political points against Trump, it’s also drawing attention for the apparent desperation behind the move.
With the 2024 election cycle fast approaching, Newsom, long considered a potential Democratic contender for higher office, is clearly trying to remain in the public eye and position himself as a force to be reckoned with.
However, his attempt to troll Trump may have backfired, with critics questioning whether Newsom is genuinely trying to lead or merely attempting to capitalize on Trump’s influence for personal gain.
On Friday, Newsom posted the image of the MAGA hat on X, which immediately caught the attention of Trump supporters and political analysts alike. The hat, emblazoned with the message “Newsom Was Right About Everything,” was a clear attempt to mock the president, who remains the dominant figure in the Republican Party.
Newsom’s caption, “New Merch Coming Soon! You’re Welcome Patriots!” appeared to be an attempt to capitalize on Trump’s own brand of populist rhetoric and cheeky merchandise lines, such as his popular “Make America Great Again” hats.
The post was quickly met with a range of reactions. Some saw it as a clever jab at Trump, while others questioned whether Newsom was overstepping his bounds by trying to insert himself into Trump’s narrative.
NEW MERCH COMING SOON! YOU’RE WELCOME, PATRIOTS! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mJOzFVtJiP
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 22, 2025
While trolling is often seen as a popular tactic on social media, especially in politics, Newsom’s move to mock Trump with a MAGA hat—something most of the Democratic Party is vehemently opposed to—has been interpreted by some as a desperate bid for relevance in the ever-competitive political arena.
For some, the move reeked of political desperation. “Gavin Newsom is doing everything he can to stay in the spotlight, even if it means using Trump’s own tactics against him,” said political analyst Janet Michaels.
“The problem is that Trump is the king of the MAGA movement, and Newsom’s attempt to ride on his coattails only highlights how little he has of his own influence.”
The viral post also signals Newsom’s growing recognition of Trump’s unshakable grip on the national political landscape. While Newsom has been California’s governor since 2019, he has long been seen as a prominent figure within the Democratic Party, often positioning himself as a champion of progressive policies.
However, his attempts to carve out a national profile have fallen short in comparison to Trump’s magnetic and ever-dominant presence in American politics.
In many ways, Newsom’s decision to post about a MAGA hat comes at a time when he is desperately trying to maintain his relevance on the national stage.
Newsom has long been considered a potential Democratic candidate for president, with some speculating that he may run in the 2024 election if Joe Biden were to step aside.
However, Biden has shown no signs of backing down from his reelection campaign, and Newsom’s attempts to distance himself from his party’s current leadership have become more apparent as the race heats up.
Newsom’s efforts to challenge Trump through mockery and sarcastic remarks may reflect the reality of the power dynamic in American politics. Despite his high-profile role as California’s governor, Newsom is dwarfed by Trump’s influence within the political conversation.
Trump, who continues to hold rallies, make headlines, and dominate the media cycle, casts a large shadow over the field. By mocking Trump, Newsom may be attempting to capitalize on the former president’s notoriety in a bid to remain relevant and bolster his own image.
However, this tactic has also raised concerns that Newsom is more interested in competing with Trump for social media clicks and viral moments than offering a substantive political platform.
“This feels like a publicity stunt rather than a serious political message,” said David Lewis, a professor of political science at UC Berkeley. “Rather than proposing solutions or championing policy changes, Newsom seems to be relying on a social media-driven approach to maintain his relevance in a race where Trump remains a dominant figure.”
As expected, Newsom’s post quickly became a lightning rod for backlash, not only from Trump supporters but from his own political base as well. While some left-wing voices found the attempt to mock Trump somewhat amusing, many Democrats were less than impressed.
Some argued that Newsom’s focus on trolling Trump rather than focusing on policy positions could hurt him in the long run, particularly with voters who want substantive change rather than Twitter bickering.
“This feels like a distraction,” said Democratic strategist Lucy Williams. “Instead of focusing on real issues, Newsom is taking a page out of Trump’s playbook and engaging in petty social media battles. It’s a strategy that may get attention, but it’s unlikely to win voters in the long run.”
Meanwhile, on the right, Newsom’s move was widely mocked. Conservatives saw his post as a desperate attempt to remain in the public eye, and many used it as an opportunity to criticize him for what they saw as his lack of political substance.
“Newsom’s trying to capitalize on Trump’s influence but has nothing of his own to offer,” said conservative pundit Ben Thompson. “It’s a sad attempt to engage with the MAGA movement while trying to appeal to the left. Newsom is playing both sides and coming up empty.”
Trump’s own supporters were quick to turn the tables on Newsom, poking fun at the California governor’s obvious desire to grab attention. “If Newsom’s goal was to get under Trump’s skin, he failed,” said one Trump supporter.
“This post just makes him look desperate to compete with Trump’s influence. No amount of trolling will ever change the fact that Trump is a movement, while Newsom is just a politician trying to make noise.”
Despite the negative reactions to his post, Newsom’s actions signal a clear strategy moving forward—one that seeks to engage with Trump’s base without alienating his own.
His trolling of Trump can be seen as an attempt to keep himself relevant in a political world where the former president continues to dominate the conversation.
The problem, however, is that Newsom’s approach is often criticized as lacking depth, with many questioning whether he can build a meaningful national platform based on social media antics alone.
For Newsom, his strategy to compete with Trump may need to evolve if he intends to run for higher office in the future. As the 2024 election season intensifies, the spotlight will only grow brighter on Newsom and his ability to balance his persona as a progressive leader with his need to connect with more moderate and conservative voters.
If Newsom’s trolling becomes the central focus of his campaign, he risks missing out on the opportunity to develop a comprehensive platform that addresses the key concerns of voters across the political spectrum.
Ultimately, Newsom’s antics on social media underscore a larger trend in modern politics: the battle for attention and influence is no longer just about policies and issues—it’s also about who can dominate the digital landscape.
In a time when viral moments can shape political fortunes, Newsom’s move to troll Trump may have provided a moment of attention, but whether that attention translates into political success remains to be seen.
Gavin Newsom’s attempt to troll President Donald Trump with a MAGA hat post on X has sparked significant backlash from both sides of the political spectrum.
While the post may have been designed to provoke and capitalize on Trump’s influence, it has raised questions about Newsom’s political strategy and his ability to stand on his own merits.
As he continues to navigate the complex world of national politics, Newsom will need to focus more on substance and less on viral moments if he hopes to build a meaningful political legacy.
Whether Newsom can successfully leverage his social media antics into a serious challenge to Trump’s influence remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in the battle for political relevance, both sides of the aisle are fighting for the same prize—dominance over the public narrative.
