Social media user shames JD Vance by comparing his and Gavin Newsom’s high school photos, but it backfires

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sometimes social media hands you a perfect example of how “gotchas” can go sideways.

That’s what happened on August 17 on X, when a user with the handle @YungPut1n tried to make Vice President JD Vance look bad by posting his old high school photo next to one of California Gov Gavin Newsom.

It was clearly an attempt to embarrass Vance, but it backfired rather spectacularly. 

Yearbook photos of Gavin Newsom and JD Vance resurface

On the left, Gavin Newsom was pictured sitting with a newspaper, dressed in a button-down shirt, jacket, and plaid scarf. But rather than looking like an everyday high schooler, he came off more "like an entitled narcissist" cosplaying as an intellectual, Michael Schwarz wrote for Western Journal.

On the right, JD Vance was seen clowning around in a bathroom, posing with two girls pretending to use the men’s urinal. He sported a goofy haircut and an even goofier grin. All in all, he looked like a typical American high school kid who didn’t take himself too seriously.

But “YungPut1n” somehow believed this was a slam dunk against Vance.

Gavin Newsom trolled hard on social media

Of course, the internet doesn’t miss a beat when supposed "gotchas" don’t hold water. Some users countered with photos of Vance in his Marine Corps uniform, while others contrasted Newsom’s privilege with Vance’s grit.

“One was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, which he's never been able to dislodge, in liberal elite Marin County, CA, and the other born into poverty to an addicted mother, worked hard, served our country and achieved the American dream. Thank you, JD Vance," one user wrote.

"JD was born in a Holler to a drug addicted mother and is now the second most powerful man in the world. Newscum is a well-connected, spoiled rich elitist with gay mannerisms and zero accomplishments other than destroying the State of California. Congratulations," another added.

"Gavin: 2 marriages, 1 divorce self confessed adulterer. JD: 1 stable marriage. JD: Served 4 years as a Cpl in US Marine Corps, Iraq, 2 medals Gavin: 0 military service Gavin: undergrad degree only JD: Masters degree from Yale JD: published #1 NYT Best Seller author Hillbilly Elegy, became Oscar award winning film, self made millionaire Gavin: no talent, mooched his millions from Getty & donors JD: Disciple of Jesus Christ, honest man Gavin: worships abortion/Satan, liar," someone else alleged.

“Confirmed: Gavin was a greasy-haired narcissist even back then," another put it bluntly. 

Gavin Newsom’s staged Joe Biden call back in spotlight

The resurfaced photos also reignited discussion of one of Newsom’s more notorious moments earlier this year.

In January, while wildfires burned in Southern California, a woman confronted him before he got into a vehicle, asking about his handling of the crisis. Instead of responding directly, Newsom pretended to be on a phone call with then-President Joe Biden.

When the woman asked to hear the call, Newsom continued the act.

“I’m sorry, there’s literally, I’ve tried five times. That’s why I’m walking around to make the call,” he fibbed.  

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.