California Governor Gavin Newsom has once again drawn national attention—not for leading the state through crisis or governance, but for his juvenile outbursts on social media. Over the past week, Newsom’s official X account has been flooded with messages in all capital letters, a style reminiscent of President Donald Trump’s signature online voice. However, while Trump’s social media presence was direct and unfiltered, Newsom’s recent posts come off as petty and performative.
During Monday’s episode of The Five on Fox News, co-host Dana Perino—former White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush—delivered a scathing critique of Newsom’s behavior. “You have to stop it with the Twitter thing,” Perino said bluntly. “I don’t know where his wife is. If I were his wife, I would say, ‘You are making a fool of yourself, stop it!’ Do not let your staff tweet, and if you are doing it yourself, put the phone away and start over.”
Perino didn’t hold back, questioning Newsom’s seriousness and fitness for higher office. “He’s got a big job as governor of California, but if he wants an even bigger job, he has to be a little bit more serious,” she added. Her comments underscore growing concerns even among moderates that Newsom’s online antics are unbecoming of a public servant, let alone someone with national ambitions.
Perino did not compare Newsom’s posts to those of Donald Trump, who also used all-caps to emphasize certain messages. Trump’s messaging, while unconventional, was often aimed at mobilizing his base or pointing out substantive policy issues. Newsom’s tweets, on the other hand, seem like little more than trolling attempts designed to stir media attention and bait conservative critics.
On Friday, Fox anchor Trace Gallagher echoed Perino’s sentiments, describing Newsom’s social media behavior as “childish.” That’s not far off the mark. Rather than addressing California’s mounting problems—such as the growing homeless crisis, the exodus of businesses, or sky-high taxes—Newsom appears more interested in playing political theater on the internet.
The governor’s press office, rather than responding with dignity or professionalism, doubled down by retweeting a clip of Perino’s comments with the snarky caption: “ALMOST A WEEK IN AND THEY STILL DON’T GET IT.” This is hardly the response one would expect from a governor who claims to be focused on serious leadership.
In another eyebrow-raising post on Monday, Newsom attacked conservative commentator Tomi Lahren, calling her “woke” after she criticized a tweet that falsely identified a male Republican operative as Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC). It’s a baffling accusation, particularly coming from a Democrat who has long aligned with progressive causes and policies that fall squarely within the “woke” category.
The origin of these outlandish tweets? According to an article from The Wrap, Camille Zapata, Newsom’s digital director, was initially identified as the mastermind behind the governor’s online strategy. The report has since been updated to reflect that the effort is a team endeavor, suggesting that Newsom’s office is deliberately employing a coordinated social media campaign to mimic Trump’s style—without any of the policy substance or political savvy.
In the end, this saga is more than just a political sideshow. It raises serious questions about Gavin Newsom’s priorities and his ability to lead. While California faces unprecedented challenges—from wildfires to economic uncertainty—its governor is busy feuding with Fox News hosts and posting in all caps. That’s not bold leadership; it’s political theater at its worst.
