Overview

• CNN data analyst Harry Enten said the strategy is showing signs of working, pointing to a Politico–Citrin Center–Possibility Lab survey that found a jump to 75% enthusiasm from about 35% in 2023.
• Enten noted that early polling discussed on CNN shows Newsom leading Kamala Harris among California Democrats, a key benchmark given the importance of home-state strength.
• Newsom has publicly acknowledged imitating the president’s online style, and his press office has posted viral, all-caps messages and mockery of conservative figures.
• The trolling campaign is tied to a push to redraw California’s congressional maps to boost Democratic seats, drawing partisan fire as Trump and conservative voices attack the effort and the governor.
• Reaction has split, with Bill Maher praising the approach as effective humor and critics highlighting Newsom’s record on homelessness and comments about trans youth as liabilities.