Look, I realise the word “weird” is overused when it comes to American politics, but it really is gobsmacking when you see the president and the governor of California, the country’s most populous state, exchanging barbs and memes on social media, likening each other to stupid, nappy-clad babies, immobile old women and weak men who can’t box properly.

When, for example, Donald Trump says he might get into shorts when the US hosts the football, as he looks fantastic in shorts, Gavin Newsom says, “please don’t!”

Illustration by Simon LetchCredit:

Much of it is actually pretty entertaining, providing relief in a barrage of negative stories, and it highlights how adolescent some of the Trump administration’s publicity has been.

In recent months, the White House press office has put out AI images of Trump as a jacked-up Jedi, Superman, the pope and even a crown-wearing king. Newsom’s office – and now his fan base – have responded with images of the governor on Mount Rushmore, bare-chested and buff, riding a bald eagle, straddling a shark, cradling a kitten in front of the American flag, posing in Calvin Klein underwear, being prayed over by Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan and Tucker Carlson, and drinking MAGA tears.

It’s a parody – but also, it’s working. Now Democrats are beginning to wonder – should they have been doing this all along? Been brash and ebullient, not grave and glum? Clambered the ropes and got in the ring?

The Hill reckons Democrats beyond California are now “obsessed” with Newsom, and that they are seriously weighing his potential as a presidential candidate. His stance as a “happy........

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