California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has once again demonstrated his mastery of the digital “counter-punch.” In a viral moment on December 29, 2025, Newsom’s office delivered a stinging, two-word critique of a recent outing between President Donald Trump and one of his most fervent loyalists, Kid Rock.
The exchange has solidified Newsom’s reputation as the Democratic Party’s most aggressive social media combatant, adopting a high-intensity propaganda strategy to mock his political rivals.
The Social Media “Slay”: “Cute Couple”
The controversy began when rockstar Kid Rock (born Robert James Ritchie), 54, shared a black-and-white photo on X (formerly Twitter). The image captured him smiling in a golf cart alongside the 79-year-old President during a recent outing.
Kid Rock’s caption enthusiastically described the golf cart outing:
“Golfed with your favorite President again recently and he played me a live version of James Brown and Pavirotti performing ‘This is a Mans World.’ Can’t believe I have never heard this. Incredible!”
However, the post was quickly overshadowed by spelling blunders, as the musician initially misspelled both the title of the song and the name of legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti (“Pavirotti”).
Gavin Newsom’s Press Office (@GovPressOffice) didn’t miss the opportunity for a savage repost. They shared the photo with a brief, dismissive label: “Cute couple.”
The Newsom Playbook: Fighting Fire with Fire
Political analysts note that Newsom has increasingly adopted a “Trump-style” digital strategy. By utilizing brevity, theatrical ridicule, and mock slogans, he positions himself as a bold counterforce in America’s fractured political arena.
Key Tactics in Newsom’s Digital Strategy:
- Brevity as a Weapon: Using short, punchy phrases to dominate the news cycle.
- The “Hahahahahahahahaha ok” Factor: Newsom previously went viral for laughing off Trump’s false claims that he would have won California in the 2024 election if not for “cheating.”
- Targeting the MAGA Base: Deliberately “poking the bear” to energize Democratic activists who are clamoring for a leader willing to battle Trump directly.
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2028 Prospects: The “Resistance” Frontrunner?
Newsom’s trolling isn’t just about social media clout; it’s a calculated move to raise his national profile. As the term-limited governor looks toward the future, many see these swipes as the opening salvos of a 2028 presidential run.
Recent polling shows that Newsom has emerged as an early frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, with a 24-percentage-point rise in consideration among party-leaning voters since early 2024. By branding himself as the face of the anti-Trump “Resistance,” Newsom is straddling ideological lines to keep the party focused on their primary Republican adversary.
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