California Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken political theater to a new level with a bizarre imitation of Donald Trump, complete with social media rants and a bold threat to “end” Trump’s presidency.
Newsom’s latest antics involve a push to redraw California’s congressional districts to favor Democrats in gaining control of the U.S. House, potentially setting the stage for impeachment proceedings against Trump, while sidelining pressing state crises like wildfires and displaced residents, as Breitbart reports.
This isn’t the first time Newsom has borrowed from Trump’s playbook, though his attempts lack the humor and punch of the original. His social media posts come off as a pale shadow of what he’s criticized in the past. It’s almost as if he is obsessed with the very figure he claims to despise.
Last month, Newsom even echoed Trump’s infamous “rake the forests” line to deflect blame for California’s wildfire woes onto the federal government. One has to wonder if this is leadership or just a cheap shot. If you’re going to mock someone, at least bring some originality to the table.
Meanwhile, wildfires like the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, which ignited on state-owned land, continue to ravage California. Tens of thousands of residents remain displaced, desperate for solutions. Yet, Newsom seems more focused on political gamesmanship than on getting these folks back on their feet.
Redistricting has become Newsom’s top priority, a calculated move to curry favor with Democratic Party primary voters who, he bets, value anti-Trump fervor over actual governance. It’s a risky wager, especially when California’s needs are so glaringly unmet. Is this what leadership looks like in Sacramento?
After two terms in office, Newsom’s resume of achievements appears alarmingly thin. Instead of tangible results, he’s leaned hard into social issues and spats with Republican-led states. It’s a classic pivot -- when you can’t point to success, point fingers elsewhere.
Take his stance on transgender policies, for instance, where he’s pushed measures that block parents from being informed about gender changes in schools. Polls show most California voters disagree with this approach, yet Newsom doubles down. It’s another sign of prioritizing ideology over the will of the people.
Byron York of the Washington Examiner summed it up sharply, noting Newsom is “turning himself into a parody” of Trump. That’s a stinging assessment, and it’s hard to argue otherwise when you see the governor mimicking the very tactics he’s mocked. It’s less a strategy and more a symptom of Trump living “rent-free” in his mind.
Let’s not forget the human cost of this distraction -- those wildfires aren’t just headlines; they’re people’s lives up in smoke. While Newsom plays cartographer with congressional maps, families displaced by fires on state land wait for real help. This isn’t just poor optics; it’s poor leadership.
Newsom’s fixation on Trump seems to override any sense of duty to his constituents. If redistricting is the hill he’s chosen to die on, what does that say about his commitment to Californians? It’s a question that deserves an answer, not another social media tirade.
The governor’s gamble -- that Democratic Party voters will reward blind opposition to Trump over a solid track record -- might backfire. Voters, even in deep-blue California, aren’t blind to neglected crises. They see the fires, the displacement, and the disconnect.
Newsom’s tenure has been marked by a troubling pattern: when faced with criticism or failure, he shifts to culture-war battles. Whether it’s clashing with red states or pushing progressive policies that alienate even his own base, it’s a distraction from the hard work of governing.
Californians deserve better than a governor playing dress-up as Trump’s nemesis. At the end of the day, Newsom’s threats to “end” Trump’s presidency through redistricting maneuvers may grab headlines, but they won’t put out fires or rebuild homes.
His imitation of Trump, devoid of wit or charm, only underscores how out of touch he’s become. It’s time for Sacramento to focus on California, not on settling personal scores.
