Behind the viral X posts from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s account lies a dedicated digital team led by Camille Zapata, his digital director, who has been credited with crafting the satirical content that mimics Donald Trump’s bombastic style. According to reports, Zapata and the governor’s press office collaborate closely on these posts, transforming Newsom’s official messaging into punchy, meme-laden takedowns that echo Trump’s signature flair. While Newsom himself approves and occasionally contributes ideas, the day-to-day writing and posting are handled by this team, ensuring a consistent voice that blends policy critique with online trolling. This approach has amplified Newsom’s visibility, turning routine political jabs into shareable content that racks up millions of views.

The mimicking of Trump’s communication style is evident in Newsom’s recent X activity, where posts feature all-caps exclamations, repetitive emphasis, and direct insults reminiscent of Trump’s “FAKE NEWS” rants and hyperbolic declarations. For instance, one post declares, “Trump knows he is going to LOSE in 2026… This man reeks of DESPERATION,” deploying the same dramatic capitalization and personal attacks that define Trump’s feeds. Other entries include short video clips and memes that “fix” Republican quotes or mock figures like JD Vance and Ted Cruz, all styled with Trump’s unfiltered, confrontational tone to highlight contradictions in MAGA policies on redistricting and voting rights.

By adopting Trump’s playbook, Newsom’s team inadvertently signals an embarrassing admission of defeat to the MAGA movement, acknowledging that Trump’s raw, attention-grabbing style has reshaped political discourse and proven effective in mobilizing supporters. This copycat strategy suggests Democrats are conceding the superiority of MAGA’s communication tactics—prioritizing spectacle over substance—to compete in the same arena, rather than forging a distinct path. Ultimately, it hands a symbolic win to Trump, reinforcing his influence as even opponents borrow his methods to stay relevant in a polarized online landscape.