Bill Maher says Newsom may have 'jumped the shark' with his Trump trolling

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bill Maher questioned California Governor Gavin Newsom's tactic of embracing "social media Trumpisms" to go after Donald Trump, suggesting that the Democrat might have gone too far, on the Friday, October 24, episode of 'Real Time'. 

Over the last few months, Newsom has adopted Trump's viral social media style, which includes all caps, withering nicknames, memes, and signature sign-offs. 

Bill Maher questions Andy Beshear on Gavin Newsom

During Friday's episode, Bill Maher voiced his doubts regarding the success of Gavin Newsom's new online presence to guest Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. 

The 'Real Time' host pointed out that the California governor, an openly known potential Democratic frontrunner for the 2028 presidential race, has been in effect "trolling Donald Trump." 

He said, "He’s been sort of taking Trump’s methodology and throwing it right back at him." Maher went on, "I think it may have jumped the shark a little recently. Is that something you endorse? Is that an effective technique?"

Beshear, also touted to be a Democratic contender for the 2028 race, walked the fine line of not criticizing a possible future rival directly. He generally endorsed Newsom's moves to counter the president's force, yet simultaneously expressed a sadness that the state of American political dialogue had necessitated, in effect, Newsom's contentious tactics.

The 47-year-old said, "He’s pushing back in his way. It’s not my way. It’s just not me. But I think everybody has to take their style and do what’s best for their people. But I think he is standing up. I think he’s pushing back, and I think it takes all of us in our own ways."

Andy Beshear is optimistic Democrats will win governorships of New Jersey and Virginia

Andy Beshear then shifted to his tone of optimism regarding politics, referencing his evaluation of the Trump administration's record and anticipating the forthcoming midterm elections. He summarized his impression that American voters are pushing back against political extremes.

He told Maher, “I think people don’t like extremism and people feel the country may have swung too far one way and now is swinging too far the other way and it’s impacting their daily lives, But even before we get to midterms, the Democrats are going to win the governorship of both New Jersey and Virginia. We’re working really hard to make that happen.”

Newsom earlier defended newfound social media brashness

Despite facing criticism from the president's staunch supporters and receiving a mixed response from his own critics, the California governor has stood by his aggressive new methods. He contends that his approach is merely holding a mirror up to the current administration and its political discourse.

“I’m just following his example,” Newsom previously told reporters. “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.”

Newsom and Beshear, both two-term governors with good approval ratings in their home states, are widely mentioned as the favorite candidates for the Democratic Party's 2028 presidential nomination.