Overview

• President Trump attacked “Gavin Newscum” on Truth Social early Thursday and vowed to “save California,” drawing a response from Newsom’s press office within nine minutes.
• Attention metrics have spiked, with CNN’s Harry Enten reporting a roughly 450% jump in @GovPressOffice followers since June and Google searches up 1,300% since June 1 and 500% since Aug. 1.
• A POLITICO–Citrin Center–Possibility Lab poll conducted July 31–Aug. 11 shows Newsom leading Kamala Harris 25% to 19% among California Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents in a 2028 test.
• Newsom signed a proclamation for a Nov. 4 special election to shift redistricting authority to the Legislature, framing it as a counter to Texas maps expected to add five GOP‑leaning U.S. House seats.
• Reactions are polarized, with Democrats praising a ‘fighter’ stance and conservatives denouncing the trolling as juvenile or a power grab, as opponents warn a ballot loss could damage Newsom’s standing.