Maher commends Newsom for strategy to ‘out-stupid’ Trump

Comedian Bill Maher praised California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) social media strategy of trying to “out-stupid” President Trump. 

“Gavin Newsom is now trolling Trump. I’ve never seen a Democrat do this. I think it’s very funny… he’s imitating Trump’s exact style,” Maher said Friday during his “Real Time With Bill Maher” show. 

“This is Newsom: ‘And he will fail as he always does, sad. And I, the peacetime governor, our nation’s favorite, will save America once again. Many are calling me the, you know, Gavin Newsom, many say the most loved and handsome governor,’” Maher added, reading a post Newsom made on X.

Newsom and his communications team have tried to mimic Trump’s rhetoric and social media persona in recent days, writing social media posts in all caps and borrowing some words the president uses, like “beautiful.” 

“I feel like Gavin has grasped the essential thing about American culture in this day and age. Don’t try to outsmart people," Maher said. "You have to out-stupid them.”

Some Democratic strategists have welcomed Newsom’s strategy as the Democratic Party looks to bounce back from losses in November and build up some momentum going into the 2026 midterms. Others, who are close to the administration, said the governor’s attempts are not landing. 

“If he wanted to get under President Trump’s skin, it didn’t work,” one Trump ally told The Hill this week. “I think everyone around here viewed it as comical.”

“Let’s face it, there’s only one Trump,” the person added. 

Vice President Vance, during an interview with Fox Business, argued that the idea that Newsom is “somehow going to mimic Donald Trump’s style, I think that ignores the fundamental genius of President Trump’s political success, which is that he’s authentic.” 

“He just is who he is. You got to be yourself. You actually got to talk to people about the issues,” Vance added. “I don’t think it’s that complicated.”

Earlier this month, Newsom described his efforts as a “no regrets strategy,” telling The Hill that he has to “fight fire with fire” to counter the Texas GOP’s push, blessed by Trump, to redraw Congressional lines ahead of the 2026 midterms. 

The president shot back at Newsom on Wednesday, writing that the California governor is “way down in the polls.” 

“He’s viewed as the man who is destroying the once Great State of California,” the president added. “I will save California!!!”