California Governor Gavin Newsom has found himself at the center of both viral internet culture and the high-stakes world of national politics, as a fake Vanity Fair cover featuring Melania Trump and a surge in primary polling numbers have put him in the spotlight in late August 2025.
On August 30, 2025, an AI-generated image purporting to be a Vanity Fair cover featuring Melania Trump, branded as “The American Queen,” took the internet by storm. According to NJ.com and other outlets, the image was quickly picked up and spread by supporters of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, who showered Melania with praise for her supposed regal bearing. But the viral moment quickly devolved into a battleground of ridicule and parody, as critics on the other side of the political spectrum mocked the image for its artificiality and the fawning tone it adopted.
Adding fuel to the fire, Governor Gavin Newsom, a rising star in the Democratic Party, seized the opportunity to troll Melania Trump with his own mock Vanity Fair cover, this time dubbing himself “The American King.” Newsom’s social media team posted the image as a tongue-in-cheek jab, referencing reports that Melania had actually declined an offer to appear on a real Vanity Fair cover. The moment encapsulated the ongoing culture war dynamics that have come to define much of American political discourse in the digital age.
But the story didn’t end there. The fake cover, and Newsom’s response, triggered a wave of public humiliation, online trolling, and even a reported staff revolt that made headlines around the world. The incident became a flashpoint for debates about authenticity, media manipulation, and the power of social media to shape public perception almost overnight.
While the Melania Trump Vanity Fair saga dominated social feeds, Newsom’s own fortunes were rising in a far more consequential arena: the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. On August 29, 2025, Emerson College released a poll showing Newsom leading the hypothetical Democratic field with 25% support—a dramatic 13-point jump since June, when he trailed at just 12%. As reported by NJ.com, Newsom’s surge was not just broad, but deep, cutting across multiple key demographics.
Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, explained in a press release, “Governor Newsom’s support surged across key demographic groups, highlighted by a 12-point increase among voters under 30 (6% to 18%), an 18-point increase among voters over 70 (13% to 31%), and a 14-point increase among both Black (9% to 23%) and White (10% to 24%) voters.” These numbers suggest that Newsom’s appeal is not confined to any one segment of the Democratic base, but is resonating with a cross-section of the electorate.
Trailing behind Newsom in the poll were former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg with 16%, former Vice President Kamala Harris with 11%, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro with 5%, and both Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with 4% each. The poll surveyed 1,000 active registered voters between August 25 and 26, 2025, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Newsom’s sudden rise in favorability coincides with his high-profile and often provocative use of social media. In recent weeks, he has made headlines—and drawn the ire of conservatives—by openly mocking President Donald Trump and MAGA supporters online. His press account on X (formerly Twitter) has been especially active, posting in all caps and assigning new nicknames to political rivals, a tactic some on the right have criticized as a blatant imitation of Trump’s own brash online persona on Truth Social.
“Some on the right have complained about the new strategy, with many claiming that he is copying Trump and his persona on Truth Social,” noted NJ.com, highlighting the contentious nature of today’s political communication. Newsom’s approach has not gone unnoticed by Republican lawmakers, who continue to scrutinize his every move—particularly as he pushes back against GOP-led efforts in Texas to redraw congressional maps and add up to five safe Republican seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The map battle is set to come to a head in November 2025, when voters will weigh in on a blue-leaning alternative in a special election. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress, and Newsom’s role in the fight is likely to keep him in the national spotlight.
On the Republican side, the Emerson College poll showed Ohio Senator JD Vance with a commanding lead in the 2028 primary, earning 52% of GOP voter support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio came in at 9%, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trailed at 7%. In a hypothetical 2028 general election matchup between Newsom and Vance, the two are currently deadlocked at 44% each, with 12% of voters undecided—a notable shift from July, when Vance held a three-point lead.
Kimball, the Emerson College Polling director, attributed much of Newsom’s recent gains to younger voters. “Newsom’s recent gains can be attributed to voters aged 18 to 29,” he said, underscoring the importance of youth turnout in future elections. The poll’s findings reflect a dynamic and unpredictable political landscape, where viral moments, social media savvy, and demographic shifts can rapidly alter the fortunes of would-be presidential contenders.
The Melania Trump Vanity Fair incident, while seemingly a sideshow, illustrates the power of online narratives to shape—and sometimes distort—public debates. It also highlights the ways in which politicians like Newsom are leveraging digital platforms not just to score points against rivals, but to build their own national brands in real time. The backlash from MAGA supporters and the counter-trolling from Newsom’s camp are emblematic of a broader trend: the merging of entertainment, politics, and internet culture into a single, high-stakes game where perception can be as important as policy.
For Newsom, the coming months will be crucial. His willingness to engage in online skirmishes, his rising poll numbers, and his central role in the fight over congressional redistricting all suggest a politician who is both attuned to the moment and determined to shape it. Whether this strategy will pay off in the long run remains to be seen, but for now, Newsom stands at the intersection of viral fame and political momentum—an American king, at least for the news cycle.
