Walters: Newsom's social media snark boosting his national standing for now

"Gov. Gavin Newsom has been waging a media war against President Donald Trump particularly with uber-snarky social media posts while promoting a ballot measure aimed at increasing Democrats' congressional seats, portraying it as a way to blunt Trump's lust for power. Newsom clearly seeks recognition as Trump's most effective political foe, political pundits of all flavors believe, thus positioning himself as the Democratic Party's leading presidential hopeful in 2028."

"California Gov. Gavin Newsom has seized attention like no other Democrat in President Donald Trump's second term as he works to position himself as a de facto head of the resistance in a leaderless party, a recent Washington Post article declared. Influencers on both the left and the right have discussed Newsom online more than any other potential 2028 presidential contender since Trump's inauguration"

"The attention has been driven by his response to immigration raids in Los Angeles, his efforts to counter a Republican redistricting push and, most recently, his mocking impersonations of Trump's social media style. Alex Hoffman, a Democratic strategist and donor adviser, told the Post: Democrats are so desperate for leadership right now that they'll take anything they can get. Gavin is filling a void."

Gavin Newsom has waged a media war against President Donald Trump with uber-snarky social posts while promoting a ballot measure to increase Democrats' congressional seats, portraying it as a way to blunt Trump's lust for power. He seeks recognition as Trump's most effective political foe and as the leading 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful. Polling and political tests show him as the unofficial frontrunner years before the election. Influencers on both left and right have discussed him more than other potential contenders. Attention has come from his response to Los Angeles immigration raids, efforts to counter Republican redistricting, and mocking impersonations of Trump's social-media style. A simulated Democratic primary placed Newsom first with about a 29.7% chance.

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