On the morning of August 17, 2025, President Donald Trump sent the internet into a frenzy with a single, cryptic word: "Bela." The brief post appeared on Trump's Truth Social account at 9:31 a.m., and though it was later deleted, screenshots quickly made the rounds on social media platforms, sparking a wave of speculation, humor, and pointed political trolling.
According to USA TODAY, the post contained no context, no explanation—just those four enigmatic letters. The White House, when reached for comment, offered no clarification, leaving the meaning of "Bela" wide open to interpretation. The situation drew immediate comparisons to Trump's infamous 2017 Twitter typo "covfefe," which similarly left the public scratching their heads and meme-makers working overtime. Back then, Trump had posted, "Despite the constant negative press covfefe," a phrase that became an instant internet sensation. He later followed up with a playful challenge: "Who can figure out the true meaning of 'covfefe' ??? Enjoy!"
This time, the mystery word "Bela" proved irresistible not only to internet sleuths and late-night comedians but also to Trump's political adversaries. Chief among them was California Governor Gavin Newsom, who seized the opportunity to lampoon the former president in a style that closely mimicked Trump's own social media bravado.
On August 18, Newsom and his press office took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing a screenshot of Trump's "Bela" post and unleashing a volley of mockery. Newsom's team posted in all caps, echoing Trump's signature rhetorical flourishes: "DONALD (TINY HANDS), HAS WRITTEN HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY THIS MORNING — UNFORTUNATELY (LOW IQ) HE SPELLED IT WRONG — 'BETA.' SOON YOU WILL BE A 'FIRED' BETA BECAUSE OF MY PERFECT, 'BEAUTIFUL MAPS.' THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! — GCN." The message, signed off with Newsom's own initials in a nod to Trump's typical sign-offs, was a direct shot at both Trump's online persona and his political standing.
But the trolling didn't stop there. Newsom's social media team went on to post an AI-generated image of the governor being "blessed" by a cadre of MAGA celebrities—Kid Rock, Tucker Carlson, and the late Hulk Hogan, the latter depicted with angel wings and a halo. The image, posted on X, was a clear parody of fan art Trump himself has shared, which often features the former president surrounded by famous supporters or even religious figures. The caption, "so nice," added a layer of tongue-in-cheek humor.
Not everyone was amused. As reported by TMZ, some conservatives took offense, with one user calling the image "Very disrespectful and blasphemy!" Newsom, however, doubled down, replying with another AI image—this time of Trump depicted as the Pope, along with a cheeky caption: "oops, our bad, sorry. meant to post this." The escalating exchange was emblematic of the ongoing, very public feud between the two politicians, each using digital platforms to score points and rally their respective bases.
The "Bela" episode unfolded against the backdrop of a heated political battle over redistricting. Earlier in the week, on August 14, Newsom had announced that California would hold a special election to approve a mid-decade redistricting plan. The move was a direct response to efforts by Texas lawmakers to redraw congressional maps in a way that would favor Republicans. Newsom, a vocal critic of such gerrymandering, positioned California's plan as a countermeasure to what he described as partisan manipulation of electoral boundaries.
"SOON YOU WILL BE A 'FIRED' BETA BECAUSE OF MY PERFECT, 'BEAUTIFUL MAPS.' THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! — GCN," Newsom's press office taunted, tying the trolling directly to the redistricting issue. The phrase "beautiful maps" was a clear reference to the redistricting plans, while "fired beta" played off both the "Bela" typo and Trump's penchant for calling rivals "beta" males or "losers."
Observers across the political spectrum weighed in. Some saw Newsom's trolling as clever political theater, a way to keep the conversation focused on redistricting and to needle Trump at the same time. Others viewed it as juvenile, arguing that such antics do little to elevate the discourse or address substantive policy issues. Still, in the age of social media, where attention is currency, the exchange succeeded in keeping both politicians—and the issues they represent—at the forefront of public debate.
The "Bela" post itself remains a mystery. Was it a typo? An unfinished thought? A coded message meant only for a select few? The White House, for its part, maintained radio silence, declining to offer any explanation even as the post continued to circulate and fuel speculation. Trump, meanwhile, continued to post throughout the day and into Monday morning, offering no further clarity on the matter.
For many, the episode was a reminder of the outsized role social media plays in modern American politics. Trump's first term was marked by a series of headline-grabbing social media moments—some accidental, others calculated. From "covfefe" to "womem" to "Boarder Security," his posts have often blurred the line between gaffe and strategy, generating both ridicule and rallying cries.
Newsom's decision to troll Trump using the "Bela" post—and to do so in a manner that so closely mirrored Trump's own style—speaks to a broader trend in political communication. In an era where memes and viral content can shape public perception as much as policy proposals, politicians are increasingly willing to engage in online theatrics. Whether this serves to inform or merely entertain is a matter of debate, but one thing is clear: the battle for narrative dominance is being waged as much on X and Truth Social as it is in legislative chambers and on the campaign trail.
As the dust settles on the "Bela" incident, both Trump and Newsom appear undeterred, each continuing to use their platforms to advance their agendas and poke fun at the other. For the rest of us, it's just another day in the ever-evolving theater of American politics—where even a single, unexplained word can set off a cascade of headlines, memes, and, yes, a few good laughs.
