JD Vance mocks Gavin Newsom's 'cheap imitation' of Trump: 'You can't mimic the master'

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance mocked California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent attempts to mimic President Donald Trump on social media, suggesting the Democrat’s efforts come across as forced.

Speaking in a Fox News interview with host Will Cain, Vance argued Newsom is chasing Trump’s political persona rather than presenting himself authentically.

JD Vance calls Gavin Newsom’s strategy inauthentic

“You can’t mimic the master; you ought to just go and be yourself,” JD Vance said. “And I think the people would like that a lot more than a cheap imitation of the president of the United States.”

The remarks come after Newsom’s press office began adopting Trump-like language in August, posting in all caps, assigning mocking nicknames, and signing off messages with his initials.

While critics saw the posts as parody, Will Cain noted that the tactic may be connecting with Democrats. Citing new numbers, he pointed out that Newsom’s support among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents rose eight points between June and late August, according to Morning Consult.

Still, Vance rejected the strategy. “When I see Gavin Newsom trying to act like Donald Trump, that’s the opposite of authenticity,” he said. “He’s not trying to be Gavin Newsom—whoever that is. He’s trying to be a fake carbon copy of Donald Trump. And it just doesn’t work.”

JD Vance escalates attacks on Democrats, aiming at Zohran Mamdani 

JD Vance also criticized other Democrats, including New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. “I don’t know the guy, but my sense is he’s had a very good life in this country,” he remarked. “It would be nice to occasionally show a sense of gratitude instead of just attacking the United States or all its problems.”

He contrasted that outlook with Trump’s influence, arguing the president’s enduring popularity comes from being “authentic.” “The lesson of President Trump in American politics is you’ve got to be authentic to yourself,” Vance said, urging Democrats to lighten up and embrace humor in politics.

Vance invoked his grandmother, affectionately known as “Mamaw,” to highlight his point. “I think Mamaw would say, ‘this is crazy.’ I think she would say the modern Democratic Party doesn’t represent her at all,” he said.

Gavin Newsom fires back with Trump-style post

Within hours, Governor Newsom’s press office shot back on X with a fiery, all-caps post that mocked Vance as “JUST DANCE” and accused him of living “rent-free” in the California Democrat’s head.

The governor’s press office escalated the spat with a satirical, Trump-style rant online, branding the vice president “JUST DANCE VANCE.” He wrote, “J.D. “JUST DANCE” VANCE, WHO NOBODY LIKED UNTIL TRUMP PICKED HIM OUT OF THE “BARGAIN BIN” IN THE WALMART CLEARANCE SECTION, WENT ON FOX TO TRASH ME, GAVIN C. NEWSOM, AMERICA'S MOST POPULAR GOVERNOR.”

The California governor’s team ridiculed Vance saying, “THE DANCING QUEEN CAN’T STOP! I LIVE RENT-FREE IN HIS HEAD (VERY TINY SPACE, ALMOST NO ROOM WITH "THE COUCH"). HE IS VERY WEAK... THE GUY CAN'T RUN, TAKES MORE "VACATIONS" THAN ANY VICE PRESIDENT IN HISTORY (AND WE’VE HAD SOME LAZY ONES!), GOT CAUGHT TAKING PHOTOS IN THE BATHROOM (VERY SICK!) AFTER APPLYING HIS EYELINER AND WEARS A COMMUNIST RED SHIRT. PERFECT, SINCE "CHAIRMAN TRUMP" NOW OWNS INTEL AND TELLS HIM WHAT TO WEAR.”

“WHY DOES FOX AIR THIS NONSENSE? THEY EDIT THE TAPES, AND EVEN TRY TO MAKE HIM LOOK "SMART," BUT HE IS A TOTAL JOKE. FOX SHOULD BE ASHAMED. STOP GIVING AIRTIME TO A TOTAL LOSER. HIS TIME WOULD BE BETTER SPENT PRACTICING FOR HIS SOON “DEBUT” ON DANCING WITH THE STARS. EVERYONE’S LAUGHING AT HIM, BELIEVE ME! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! — GCN,” he continued.

Newsom doubled down, releasing a parody attack that skewered Vance’s credibility, fashion choices, and dependence on Trump.