California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vaulted into the national conversation by bombarding social-media platforms with all-caps taunts and meme-laden posts that mimic President Donald Trump’s trademark online voice. The tactic has expanded his reach: Newsom’s press account has gained roughly 250,000 followers and drawn about 225 million impressions since the start of August, his office says. Beyond internet theatrics, Newsom is tying the campaign to a policy drive. He has asked state lawmakers to put a Nov. 4 special ballot measure before voters that would let California redraw its congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms—a direct answer to a Trump-backed redistricting push in Texas. A University of California Irvine survey shows the governor’s job-approval rating rising to 56 percent from 38 percent after he began sparring with the president. Trump finally fired back on Truth Social, branding the governor “Gavin Newscum.” Former President Barack Obama applauded Newsom’s “responsible approach” to redistricting, while Vice President JD Vance dismissed the imitation and conservative strategist Steve Bannon called it “brilliant.” The high-profile clash is widely seen as groundwork for Newsom’s expected bid for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.