California Gov. Gavin Newsom is playing a wild card by mimicking Donald Trump’s larger-than-life social media swagger, and even Bill Maher is cheering from the sidelines.
According to Daily Mail, Newsom’s latest antics, coupled with a heated gerrymandering showdown against Republicans, have turned heads as he battles a faltering Democratic image with Trump-esque bravado while signing a law to let California voters weigh in on redistricting.
Let’s start with the social media circus. Over the past week, Newsom’s team has been firing off tweets that could almost pass as Trump’s own, full of bombastic flair and unapologetic bravado. It’s a calculated pushback against a Democratic Party that’s losing ground in public opinion.
Bill Maher couldn’t help but weigh in, chuckling over Newsom’s approach. “I’ve never seen a Democrat do this,” Maher quipped, clearly amused by the governor’s attempt to match Trump’s energy. But let’s be real—copying Trump’s style might grab attention, yet it risks looking like a desperate bid for relevance in a party struggling to connect.
Maher went further, reading one of Newsom’s over-the-top posts with a smirk. “Many are calling me... the most loved and handsome governor,” Maher recited, barely containing his laughter. If Newsom thinks outdoing Trump at his own game is the path to victory, he might be underestimating how authenticity still matters to voters on both sides.
Maher’s final jab hit a deeper truth about today’s culture. “You have to out-stupid them,” he said, suggesting Newsom gets the absurdity of modern discourse. While there’s a kernel of genius in meeting people where they are, conservatives might argue this just dumbs down an already shallow political conversation.
Beyond the tweets, Newsom’s social media game includes quirky AI-generated images, like one featuring Kid Rock endorsing him. Another bizarre post showed Kid Rock, Tucker Carlson, and the late Hulk Hogan—complete with halo and wings—praying over Newsom. It’s creative, sure, but does this really address the serious policy challenges facing California?
Meanwhile, Newsom’s Trump-style posts aren’t just for laughs—they’re part of a broader political strategy. He’s using this platform to jab at Republicans in a growing gerrymandering feud. It’s a clever distraction, but conservatives might see it as sidestepping accountability for progressive policies that often alienate middle America.
Let’s shift to the gerrymandering battle, where things get dicey. Just a day after the Texas State House passed a redistricting plan heavily favoring Republicans for the 2026 midterms, Newsom signed a law letting California voters decide on similar measures. It’s a direct response, but some might question if this tit-for-tat approach truly serves the public or just entrenches partisan gamesmanship.
The Texas plan, now awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature, could net Republicans five more House seats next year. Abbott himself boasted, “The One Big Beautiful Map... will be swiftly signed.” While conservatives may celebrate this as a necessary counterbalance to blue-state dominance, it’s hard to ignore how such moves fuel distrust in fair representation.
Democrats aren’t sitting idle, vowing to redraw maps in states like Illinois, Maryland, and New York to bolster their own districts. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul even declared, “Game on.” But let’s not pretend this is noble—it’s just more of the same political chess that frustrates everyday Americans tired of being pawns.
Even the White House is eyeing Republican strongholds like Missouri and Florida to push for more GOP-friendly districts. Both parties see this gerrymandering fight as critical for the 2026 midterms. Yet, isn’t it telling that so much energy goes into map-drawing rather than solving real issues like inflation or border security?
History offers a sobering reminder of midterm dynamics. Back in 2018, Democrats gained 40 House seats under Trump’s presidency, derailing his agenda and paving the way for two impeachments. Republicans are understandably keen to avoid a repeat in 2026, and conservatives hope to leverage every tool to prevent another legislative blockade.
This gerrymandering spat, spilling across multiple states, underscores how high the stakes are for both sides. It’s not just about seats—it’s about power to shape the nation’s direction. But when maps are drawn more for party gain than voter fairness, it’s hard to argue this reflects the will of the people conservatives claim to champion.
In the end, Newsom’s Trump mimicry and the redistricting wars reveal a political landscape more about optics and leverage than principle. While Maher finds humor in Newsom’s tactics, conservatives might see them as a symptom of a Democratic Party out of ideas, leaning on gimmicks over substance. Still, with both sides playing hardball on maps, it’s the average voter who’s left wondering if their voice even counts.
