California Governor Gavin Newsom is making waves on the national political stage, and it’s not just because of his policies—it’s his punchy, Trump-style tactics that have Democrats buzzing, Republicans fuming, and bookmakers recalculating the odds for 2028. In a summer marked by fiery social media exchanges, meme warfare, and a bold legislative gambit, Newsom has captured the spotlight as a leading contender for the next Democratic presidential nomination, even as the dust from the 2024 election continues to settle.
Newsom, 57, has been on a tear, energizing the Democratic Party with what he boldly describes as a “new energy” and an “eye-for-an-eye” approach to politics. “This is a new Democratic Party. This is a new energy out there all across this country, and we are going to meet fire with fire,” Newsom declared during an August 20 conference call with party leaders, according to USA TODAY. He’s not just talking tough—he’s putting his money (and his memes) where his mouth is, using flashy AI-generated images, all-caps rants, and sharp retorts to critics both inside and outside his party.
It’s a strategy that’s paying off in the polls and in the fundraising ledger. Newsom has reportedly raised $6.2 million in online donations in just a single week amid a high-profile redistricting battle, USA TODAY reported. And he’s not just raking in cash—he’s skyrocketing in the polls, too. An August poll from Echelon Insights showed Newsom with 13% support among Democrats for the 2028 presidential primary, up from just 4% in April. He now trails only Kamala Harris, the former vice president and 2024 Democratic nominee, who has left the door open for another White House run.
But it’s not just the Democrats who are taking notice. President Donald Trump, who remains a central figure in the Republican Party and has toyed with the idea of running again despite the two-term limit, took a jab at Newsom during an August 22 Oval Office event. “I know Gavin very well. He’s an incompetent guy with a good line of bull----,” Trump told reporters, according to USA TODAY. Trump has also repeatedly called Newsom "Newscum" on his Truth Social website, while Newsom’s team has responded in kind, dubbing Vice President JD Vance “Just Dance Vance” in social media posts that mimic Trump’s trademark style.
Newsom’s communications team has fully embraced the digital age, deploying AI-generated memes and images in their campaign. One notable example: an AI image of Kid Rock dressed as Uncle Sam, urging users to support Newsom. The real Kid Rock was less than amused, firing back on August 18 that the only support Newsom would get from him would be “deez nuts”—a typically brash retort from the Trump-aligned musician. Fox News host Dana Perino criticized the governor’s messages as rude, while Vice President JD Vance argued in a Fox News interview that Newsom’s imitation of Trump “ignores the fundamental genius” of Trump’s authenticity.
Still, Newsom seems unfazed by the criticism. In an August 20 interview with The Siren, a progressive-leaning podcast, he quipped, “I mean, even poor Kid Rock – these guys, they’ve gotten a little precious, haven’t they? The folks at Fox (News) are like, ‘Oh, this is so unbecoming of a governor. Oh, oh,’ And meanwhile, they sit there reading his tweets every single day.”
The governor’s confrontational style isn’t just for show. It’s been matched by real political maneuvering, most notably in the redistricting arena. On August 21, Newsom led the California legislature to approve a new congressional map designed to eliminate five GOP-leaning seats, a direct counter to a Trump-backed Texas plan passed the same day that could add five Republican seats. The California bill is set to take effect only if the Texas one is ratified, a move designed to meet Republican tactics head-on.
The ripple effects are already being felt. Other Democratic governors in Illinois, New York, and Maryland are considering similar measures, and the issue has become a wedge within the party. While some, like DNC Chairman Ken Martin and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, have endorsed Newsom’s approach—Beshear called it “the exact right thing” on his August 21 podcast—others warn that it could backfire. Former President Barack Obama, who has opposed political gerrymandering in the past, nonetheless expressed “tremendous respect” for Newsom’s approach on August 20, observing that “if these are the new rules everybody’s got to play by them.”
Not all progressives are on board, however. Nina Turner, a former co-chair of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign, cautioned on August 20 that Newsom’s strategy could further deepen partisan divides and accelerate a “race to the bottom” in political gerrymandering. “Remember, (Sen. John) Fetterman had good tweets, too,” she warned on X, suggesting that social media bravado is no substitute for substantive reform.
The stakes are high, and the odds are shifting. According to Newsweek, Star Sports, a leading bookmaker, improved Newsom’s odds of winning the 2028 presidential election from 7/1 (12.5%) to 11/2 (15.4%) by August 21, 2025, crediting his combative stance and relentless trolling of Trump. Newsom is now the second favorite to win in 2028, behind only Vice President JD Vance, and is the top pick to be the Democratic nominee with odds of 5/2 (28.6%). Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pete Buttigieg, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro trail further behind. Star Sports political betting analyst William Kedjanyi told Newsweek, “Gavin Newsom has always been a well-recognized figure in American politics but recently he’s asserted himself as a leader of the resistance against President Donald Trump, especially with regards to more combative communications and taking Trump head on and getting under his skin.”
Meanwhile, the broader political landscape is in flux. A New York Times analysis this week found the GOP gaining 4.5 million registered voters nationwide compared to Democrats. Republicans are pushing for more favorable midterm maps in Texas, Ohio, and Indiana, while Democrats, led by Newsom, are fighting back with their own redistricting measures. Democratic strategist Alyssa Cass summed up the situation: “Now with redistricting, he’s in the middle of the ring again. He is doing everything he can to turn that target on his back into a rallying post for Democratic voters across the country.”
As the next Democratic primary contest looms in early 2028, Newsom’s brash, unfiltered style—and his willingness to meet Trump and the GOP on their own turf—have made him a lightning rod in American politics. Whether this approach will unite or further fracture the party, or whether it will ultimately help Democrats reclaim the White House, remains to be seen. For now, though, Gavin Newsom is relishing the fight and seizing the moment.