US President Donald Trump and California governor Gavin Newsom have taken their political feud to a new battlefield: the meme war.
Since Trump took office for the second time, he has engaged with Newsom in several wars of words over a range of issues.
Recently, Trump called Newsom "incompetent" and once again dangled threats of sending the National Guard back to California. It spiralled into a volley of AI-generated, heavily edited videos that look more like a late-night comedy show than a political showdown.
On Wednesday night, Trump posted a video showing a man lazily tapping a punching bag and screaming — only this time, the man's face had been replaced with Newsom's, while the bag bore Trump's photo. In another clip, a man with his face replaced by Newsom's sported a "Trump 2028" cap and confessed, "I wasn't exaggerating when I said I received a Trump 2028 hat in the mail. These guys are not screwing around."
Not to be out-memed, Newsom fired back with his own digital counterpunches. In one video, a police officer with Newsom's face dialled over a fallen "Trump" — portrayed as a helpless elderly woman gasping, "I've fallen, and I can't get up!" Another clip went even further, showing Newsom cradling a wailing "baby Trump" before plopping him into a cage.
Since Trump took office for the second time, he has engaged with Newsom in several wars of words over a range of issues.
Recently, Trump called Newsom "incompetent" and once again dangled threats of sending the National Guard back to California. It spiralled into a volley of AI-generated, heavily edited videos that look more like a late-night comedy show than a political showdown.
Donald Trump Truth Social Post 10:23 PM EST 09/03/25 pic.twitter.com/qX8VZ7WBO6
— Fan Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 4, 2025
Donald Trump Truth Social Post 10:25 PM EST 09/03/25 pic.twitter.com/AqAl9lcKEt
— Fan Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 4, 2025
On Wednesday night, Trump posted a video showing a man lazily tapping a punching bag and screaming — only this time, the man's face had been replaced with Newsom's, while the bag bore Trump's photo. In another clip, a man with his face replaced by Newsom's sported a "Trump 2028" cap and confessed, "I wasn't exaggerating when I said I received a Trump 2028 hat in the mail. These guys are not screwing around."
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 4, 2025
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 4, 2025
Not to be out-memed, Newsom fired back with his own digital counterpunches. In one video, a police officer with Newsom's face dialled over a fallen "Trump" — portrayed as a helpless elderly woman gasping, "I've fallen, and I can't get up!" Another clip went even further, showing Newsom cradling a wailing "baby Trump" before plopping him into a cage.
You may also like
Juhi Chawla remembers Rishi Kapoor: You were the most spontaneous, effortless actor ever
England star didn't want to see Thomas Tuchel before boss laughed in his face
Trump says Zohran Mamdani likely to be New York's next mayor unless two of his opponents quit the race
"If we can run a joint venture together, great opportunity for Make in India": Industry experts laud PM Modi's China visit
Telangana, Andhra Pradesh Weather LATEST update: States currently experiencing monsoon break? Check NOW
