Newsom’s Futile Attempt to Mimic Trump: A Losing Strategy

The data from aggregated polls suggests that California’s Gavin Newsom may be a potential figure in the 2028 Democratic primary, despite his silence over any intentions to vie for presidential office. An embarrassing defeat ensued for the Democratic party during the 2024 elections when President Donald Trump was handed his second term. Post this surprising course of events, Newsom has stepped up as the frontman in a one-sided rebellion against the prevailing government.

In a seemingly desperate effort to mirror the president, Newsom’s press team recently has taken to broadcasting messages overflowing with disparagement, bizarrely utilizing capital letters throughout. As 2026 wraps up Newsom’s reign as the governor of California, speculations anticipate his budding ambitions for the Democratic presidential nomination of 2028.

An overall poll tracker, ‘Race To The White House’, shows that Newsom is presently leading in the 2028 Democratic primary polls in his home territory of California, where he enjoys 23.2 percent approval, as well as in Ohio, where he holds 20 percent approval. Despite this, Newsom purely succeeds in surpassing the former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg by a minuscule margin of 5 percent in both states.

On the other hand, Buttigiek displays an impressive momentum in an array of states. He has secured 23 percent support in Florida, 16.8 percent in North Carolina, and 21.6 percent in Texas. Drawing stark contrasts, Newsom significantly lags behind in these similar territories. He stands at 12 percent in Florida, ranking third after New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

In North Carolina, Newsom’s standing is a meager 10.2 percent, causing him to fall scarecely short of the 2024 Democratic nominee for vice president, Kamala Harris. In Texas, which is not his strongest suit, Newsom’s support barely reaches 19.5 percent, again positioning him marginally behind Buttigieg.

An absence of polling data for the remaining states leaves a considerable space for speculation. This does not bode well for Newsom, considering his less than glittering records in states where data is available. His underperformance coupled with his silence surrounding any future political aspirations just adds to the prevailing uncertainty.

President Donald Trump added his fuel to the fire, by launching criticism at Newsom stating, ‘Gavin Newscum is tumbling down in the polls. He is seen as the culprit responsible for the demise of the previously glorious State of California.’ Trump’s sharp critique reflects widely echoed sentiment about Newsom’s unfortunate handling of his state.

Nevertheless, Governor Gavin Newsom showed defiance in a press conference post signing a legislation, accusing the Trump administration of subverting the rule of law. He claimed, ‘I constantly remind you all – it’s not about the rule of law anymore. It’s the rule of Don, and we are resisting that… They initiated this conflict in Texas.’ His attempt to inspire his audience seemed to ring hollow and be sensational rather than substantial.

Bob Shrum, an experienced Democratic strategist, enthusiastically stood in Newsom’s corner. Shrum proclaimed, ‘He’s retaliating tit for tat. I think he has made quite an impression. It’s nothing more than desperation, a reaction to the president and a desperate push to discover new channels for Democrats to retaliate.’ Despite Shrum’s words of encouragement, Newsom’s actions appear to be a display of frustration rather than an effective strategy.

While it’s clear that Newsom is an active critic of the current administration, it’s uncertain whether his protests carry any weight or popularity, especially given his noticeable lack of support in several key battleground states. His attempts to mimic Trump’s tactics have come across as immature and incoherent, reducing his credibility among voters.

Newsom’s underperformance in polls and his apparent inability to gain widespread support underscore his diminishing chances in a potential 2028 Democratic primary race. His lack of transparency about his possible presidential ambitions leaves many questions unanswered.

Despite his role as a forerunner in the fight against the Trump administration, Newsom’s approach appears flawed and haphazard. His attempts to stir the public with aggressive rhetoric seem misplaced and ineffective. Mimicking Trump only highlights his lack of individual strategy.

His lagging performance in various states puts into question his ability to gather national support. With his less than impressive standing, he seems far from a likely contender, leaving his chances of clinching the nomination quite slim.

Taking into account his unremarkable record and his questionable approach to tackling the current administration, Newsom’s position on the 2028 Democratic primary’s horizon appears questionable. At this point, it’s far from clear whether he is a viable contender in the Democratic party’s race towards the White House.

The future to Newsom’s political road is clouded and unpredictable, owing to his muted stance on his plans and his underwhelming performance sprouting from his less than impressive practices. His chances in the potential 2028 presidential administration, as it appears today, are looking bleak.

Newsom’s involvement on the 2028 scene remains a point of contention. All we know for sure is that, at present, his standing doesn’t paint a promising picture. His tactical mimicry of Trump and his polarizing stance seem more like a spectacle than a solid strategic pathway to the presidency.