California Governor Gavin Newsom found himself at the center of a viral stir this week after a Trump ally sent him a cheeky “Trump 2028” hat, sparking both outrage and amusement online.
The unexpected gift, delivered by an unnamed supporter of President Donald Trump, was unveiled during a press conference at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, where Newsom was outlining his plans to counter Republican-led redistricting efforts in Texas.
Holding up the red hat emblazoned with “Trump 2028,” Newsom quipped: “These guys aren’t screwing around. I got this in the mail from one of Trump’s biggest supporters. They’re already planning for 2028!” His mix of exasperation and disbelief quickly went viral, with clips circulating across X and other platforms.
The stunt comes amid an intensifying feud between Newsom and Trump, fueled by the governor’s online trolling campaign. Newsom’s press team has even adopted Trump’s bombastic all-caps posting style, recently blasting: “DONALD ‘TACO’ TRUMP, AS MANY CALL HIM, ‘MISSED’ THE DEADLINE!!! CALIFORNIA WILL NOW DRAW NEW, MORE ‘BEAUTIFUL MAPS.’” The “TACO” nickname—short for “Trump Always Chickens Out”—has become a recurring jab at Trump’s shifting political deadlines.
But this time, the tables turned. The “Trump 2028” hat reframed Newsom as the target of a playful dig, sparking polarized reactions online. Liberal commentators like MeidasTouch praised his fiery rhetoric, while conservative users reveled in his discomfort. One X account quipped, “Poor Gav, he seems upset,” while another called him a “sociopathic joke.”
Analysts see the moment as part of a broader meme war. “Newsom’s team has been effective at using humor to energize Democrats, but this shows Trump’s allies can play the same game,” said Matt Bennett of Third Way.
The gag also reignited speculation about Trump’s political future. Newsom seized on the hat as supposed proof that Trump is eyeing another run in 2028, though critics argue the episode reflects the pitfalls of “race-to-the-bottom politics.”
Supporters, however, say Newsom is giving Republicans “a taste of their own medicine.” As strategist Victor Shi put it on X: “He’s standing up to Trump’s provocations.”
With Newsom pushing his redistricting plan in a November 4 special election, the “Trump 2028” hat has become a symbol of the ongoing political theater. Whether prank or provocation, it has ensured that both Newsom and Trump remain locked in the spotlight as they battle for narrative dominance ahead of the 2026 midterms.
