California Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to needle the MAGA world—and now Vice President JD Vance is joining the chorus of critics.
During an Aug. 28 appearance on Fox News’ “Will Cain Show,” Vance complained that Newsom’s recent social media persona is less authentic performance than political cosplay.
“He’s not trying to be Gavin Newsom, whoever that is,” Vance said, arguing the governor is “trying to be a fake, carbon copy of Donald Trump and it just doesn’t work.” He added that Newsom should “go and be yourself,” claiming voters would prefer that to “a cheap imitation of the President of the United States.”
Vance’s comments came after weeks of Newsom posting in a deliberately Trump-like style—heavy on all-caps, nicknames for opponents, and sign-offs with his initials.
Newsom’s comeback: “Just Dance Vance”
Newsom didn’t let the jab sit. In a new post written in the same exaggerated Trumpian voice he’s been using, the governor slapped Vance with a nickname: “J.D. ‘JUST DANCE’ VANCE.”
In the post, Newsom mocked Vance’s political rise, his Fox News appearance, and his public image—mixing insults, exaggerations, and rapid-fire punchlines meant to mirror Trump’s online persona. He framed Vance as a figure who “can’t stop,” claiming he lives “rent-free” in the vice president’s head, then pivoted to a string of taunts—about vacations, a “bathroom” moment, eyeliner, and even what he called a “communist red shirt,” punctuating the message with a dramatic sign-off: “— GCN.”
Social media reacts with memes—and a MAGA pile-on
The post sparked a wave of reactions, including meme-heavy mockery and cheering from supporters who said the Trump-style imitation only makes the trolling more effective.
“They are pissed that someone sounds just as stupid as Trump,” one user wrote on Threads.
Another joked that the angrier the replies get, the funnier Newsom’s posts become.
Other commenters celebrated the exchange as a clean win for Newsom, while one lengthy post on X praised the governor’s “razor-sharp satire” and framed it as a takedown of the broader MAGA brand.
A separate user quoted one specific portion of Newsom’s post—“Help this part is taking me out 😂”—highlighting the line that mocked Vance’s athleticism and referenced a short clip that circulated online showing him running.
The bigger strategy: fight Trump with Trump’s style
Newsom has been escalating this approach for weeks, borrowing Trump’s own online tactics—nicknames, bravado, and punchy ridicule—to bait a response and dominate the conversation.
And according to the piece’s framing, it may be working: the governor’s posts appear to be driving engagement, drawing outraged replies, and fueling the perception that Trump and his allies are getting increasingly defensive as Newsom leans harder into the strategy.
