Vance laughs off idea of Newsom imitating Trump online

Vice President J.D. Vance publicly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday for allegedly trying to replicate President Donald Trump’s social media strategy, arguing that such an approach misunderstands the secret to Trump’s political appeal.

Speaking on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle”, Vance explained that Newsom’s effort to mirror the former president’s tone and tactics fails to capture the authentic charisma that has consistently driven Trump’s success among his base.

“This idea that Gavin Newsom is somehow going to mimic Donald Trump’s style — I think that ignores the fundamental genius of President Trump’s political success,” Vance said during the interview. “Which is that he’s authentic.”

He elaborated, emphasizing that Trump’s resonance with voters stems from a genuine presentation of self, not just clever messaging techniques or social media gimmicks. “He just is who he is,” Vance stated.

Vance’s comments came in the wake of discussions among Democrats reflecting on their 2024 election results. On the program, Fox News host Laura Ingraham remarked that the Democratic Party is still conducting a post-election autopsy to determine what went wrong, suggesting that some leaders believe they need to adopt a more confrontational, Trump-like tone to regain political ground.

Vance, however, argued that this perceived lesson is fundamentally flawed. “Look, the autopsy for the Democrats — some free political advice from the president of the United States — is stop sounding like crazy people,” he said.

He added that political messaging doesn’t need to be overly complicated. “You’ve actually got to talk to people honestly about the issues. I don’t think it’s that complicated: Don’t be a crazy person. Be authentic.”

The essence of Vance’s critique is that authenticity cannot be mimicked. According to him, while Newsom’s attempt to channel Trump’s energy and rhetorical style might grab attention, it lacks the organic connection that Trump has cultivated with his supporters.

Governor Newsom, who is widely regarded as a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race, has recently revamped his social media messaging in a way that clearly mirrors Trump’s signature style.

Over the past few weeks, Newsom has posted messages in all-caps letters, assigned nicknames to his political rivals, and described his legislative proposals and political rallies as “beautiful.”

The approach appears designed to energize a Democratic base that is still reeling from the 2024 elections. Many Democrats have welcomed Newsom’s new messaging strategy as a bold, attention-grabbing move that could help the party regain traction.

For example, in one recent post, Newsom’s office wrote: “FOX HATES THAT I AM AMERICA’S MOST FAVORITE GOVERNOR (‘RATINGS KING’) SAVING AMERICA,” directly responding to criticism from conservative media outlets.

 The playful yet combative tone closely mirrors the way Trump communicates on social media: confrontational, self-assured, and often provocative.

Despite its popularity among some Democrats, Newsom’s social media pivot has not gone unnoticed by Republicans. Vance, representing the Republican perspective, criticized the attempt as a misfire.

According to him, trying to emulate Trump’s style without the underpinning authenticity is a political mistake, and he warned that voters can detect when a politician is performing rather than genuinely expressing themselves.

Fox News hosts, as well as other conservative commentators, have highlighted Newsom’s new messaging strategy, portraying it as a desperate attempt to replicate the success of the Republican playbook.

They note that while Newsom’s approach is entertaining, it may not be strategically effective because it lacks the personal authenticity that made Trump such a compelling figure to his supporters.

Vance’s critique of Newsom goes beyond personal attacks; it speaks to a broader debate about political communication in the modern era.

In an age dominated by social media, tone, style, and presentation are often as important as policy positions. Vance’s central argument is that authenticity cannot be faked, and voters are increasingly adept at detecting inauthentic messaging.

For Democrats, this raises a key question: Can they adopt the aggressive, attention-grabbing style that has proven successful for Trump, or must they forge a distinct approach that aligns with their values and political identity?

Vance clearly leans toward the latter interpretation, suggesting that trying to mimic another politician’s tone may backfire rather than energize voters.

The concept of authenticity in politics has become a major talking point in recent years. Vance emphasized that Trump’s appeal is not simply the result of combative rhetoric, all-caps posts, or attention-grabbing nicknames.

It stems from a perceived honesty and straightforwardness, even if his positions or language are controversial.

“Be yourself,” Vance advised, “talk to people honestly about the issues, and don’t try to be someone you’re not.” This, he argued, is the lesson Democrats should take from the political landscape: a message that resonates must come from genuine conviction, not a formulaic attempt to replicate the success of a political rival.

Vance’s comments underscore a broader debate about the role of personality versus policy in modern elections. While social media strategy is important, the underlying authenticity of a candidate often determines whether messaging connects with voters on a deeper level.

Governor Newsom’s aggressive social media strategy may be viewed as a calculated risk in light of his potential 2028 presidential ambitions. By adopting elements of Trump’s style, he may hope to energize younger voters and attract attention from national media outlets.

However, the criticism from Vance and others highlights the potential pitfalls of such a strategy. By mimicking Trump, Newsom risks being perceived as insincere or performative, which could undercut his credibility among voters who prioritize authenticity over theatrical presentation.

At the same time, Newsom’s approach reflects a growing trend in political communication: the blending of entertainment and messaging.

His posts in all caps, use of nicknames, and self-promotion align with the way modern politicians leverage social media to generate attention and shape public perception.

The conversation about Newsom’s approach must be understood in the context of the Democratic Party’s post-2024 reflection.

Following the 2024 elections, party leaders have debated how to regain momentum and connect with voters who may have felt alienated or disengaged.

Some Democrats, as noted on Fox News, believe that adopting a more confrontational or provocative tone—similar to Trump’s approach—might be key to winning future elections.

Vance, however, dismissed this line of thinking as misguided. He argued that the lesson from Trump’s success is not tone or style, but authenticity and a direct connection with voters.

In other words, Democrats may benefit more from refining their policy messaging and connecting with constituents’ real concerns rather than attempting to replicate the social media tactics of a political rival.

Newsom’s adoption of Trump-like tactics is emblematic of a larger debate about social media strategy in politics. Political operatives increasingly recognize that attention-grabbing posts, nicknames, and strong rhetoric can drive engagement and shape narratives. 

Vance’s remarks underscore the importance of aligning style with substance. While Newsom’s posts are visually and rhetorically similar to Trump’s, Vance contends that they lack the personal authenticity that Trump naturally projects, making them less effective as a political tool.

Vice President J.D. Vance’s critique of Gavin Newsom highlights a central tension in modern political communication: the balance between style and substance, performance and authenticity.

While Newsom may gain attention through Trump-like social media tactics, critics argue that this approach risks appearing performative rather than genuine.

Vance emphasized that political success is not just about tone, theatrics, or provocation, but about honest engagement with voters and authenticity in messaging. 

For Newsom, a potential contender in the 2028 presidential race, this debate represents a critical strategic consideration.

As he experiments with social media tactics and messaging strategies, the challenge will be to balance attention-grabbing content with authentic communication, ensuring that voters perceive him as a genuine leader rather than a performer.

In a media environment saturated with provocative posts and viral messaging, voters increasingly value leaders who communicate honestly and directly, rather than those attempting to imitate someone else’s success.