Overview

• The governor’s official communications account posted all-caps, Trump-style taunts after the president’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, alongside other trolling posts and memes.
• Newsom’s follower counts have surged in recent days, while bookmakers now give him roughly a 24% chance for the 2028 Democratic nomination, according to CNN’s Harry Enten.
• He announced a California campaign to respond to Republican redistricting efforts he links to Trump’s pressure in Texas, pledging to “fight fire with fire.”
• The White House circulated a meme-style montage, first shared with Politico, that portrayed Trump as indifferent to Newsom.
• Conservative pundits, including Fox News host Dana Perino, criticized the approach, as consultants point to Democratic Party approval near 24% in a CNBC poll.