Newsom's Team Dubs JD Vance with New Nickname

A New Era of Political Trolling

California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a page from the playbook of former President Donald Trump, adopting a similar style of social media posting to mock the current U.S. president. This move has led to the creation of a new nickname for Vice President J.D. Vance—“Just Dance Vance.” The governor’s office made this comment in response to Vance's recent visit to Indianapolis, where Republicans are under pressure to redraw the state's electoral map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

This strategy has also been adopted by Texas Republicans, who aim to gain five additional seats for the GOP next year. The controversial approach has resulted in the departure of many Texas Democrats and has sparked nationwide protests against what some call a "Trump takeover."

Why It Matters

The ongoing rivalry between Newsom and Trump is intensifying, with the governor's social media tactics serving as another layer in their escalating conflict. Their relationship has deteriorated significantly since Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles earlier this summer, despite Newsom's objections.

Trump justified the move as necessary to manage protests against his administration's mass deportation efforts, but Newsom criticized it as an attempt to fulfill “the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial president.” In response, California has sued the president for sending federal troops without Newsom's approval. A trial was held last week, and a decision is expected soon.

What to Know

Newsom's use of the nickname "Just Dance Vance" is just one example of how he is imitating Trump's recognizable social media style to mock the president. This includes using derogatory nicknames for political opponents, writing in all-caps, and exaggerating praise for real or imagined achievements. In Trump's world, Newsom is often referred to as "Newscum," and in his posts, Newsom has mocked Trump by calling him "tiny hands."

This mockery coincides with Newsom's opposition to the national effort to redraw congressional boundaries before the 2026 midterms, a strategy supported by Trump and his administration. Newsom has warned that if Republican-led states proceed with their plans, California will take countermeasures to neutralize their efforts.

What People Are Saying

Newsom's press office recently posted on X:
"NOT EVEN JD 'JUST DANCE' VANCE CAN SAVE TRUMP FROM THE DISASTROUS MAPS 'WAR' HE HAS STARTED. NOT EVEN HIS EYELINER LINES LOOK AS PRETTY AS CALIFORNIA 'MAP' LINES. HE WILL FAIL, AS HE ALWAYS DOES (SAD!)
"AND I, THE PEACETIME GOVERNOR—OUR NATION'S FAVORITE—WILL SAVE AMERICA ONCE AGAIN. MANY ARE NOW CALLING ME GAVIN CHRISTOPHER 'COLUMBUS' NEWSOM (BECAUSE OF THE MAPS!). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER."

When questioned about his trolling of the president on social media, Newsom stated:
"I'm just following his example. If you have issues with what I'm putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what he's putting out as president."

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson responded:
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Newscum's obsession is getting a little creepy at this point. Gavin will never be ready for primetime!"

What Happens Next

It remains uncertain how long Newsom and his team will continue to mock the president and his social media style. However, the tension between them is unlikely to ease. Newsom's term in office ends next year, and there are rumors that he may run for president. As the political landscape continues to shift, the battle between Newsom and Trump is set to remain a focal point of national discourse.