California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken another public swipe at President Donald Trump, releasing a slickly edited video that stitches together some of Trump’s most damaging moments and viral embarrassments. Posted on Saturday, the clip blends Trump’s own words with a trending TikTok soundtrack to highlight his convictions, controversies, and chaotic public blunders. The video arrives as Newsom continues escalating his online jabs at Trump, fueling speculation about his future political ambitions. While Newsom keeps his 2028 intentions close, the timing and tone of his latest troll have sparked fresh national attention.
Video Opens With Trump’s Confession
The video begins with Trump’s recent remark aboard Air Force One, “I don’t think there’s anything going to get me in Heaven, I think maybe I’m not Heaven-bound.” Newsom pairs this line with the upbeat opening of Francesca Battistelli’s “Free to Be Me,” a song now central to a TikTok trend that embraces flaws, awkward moments, and imperfect humanity. The governor uses this cultural cue to frame Trump’s statement as a self-portrait, leaning into the irony without adding any direct commentary of his own.
TikTok Trend as Satirical Tool
The video quickly pivots into the song’s chorus, which features the lyrics, “’Cause I got a couple dents in my fender, Got a couple rips in my jeans…” Newsom uses this moment to showcase the Jan. 6 Capitol Riots and a New York Daily News cover projecting the bold headline “GUILTY” following Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts in 2024. The visual contrast mirrors the TikTok trend, where users highlight personal flaws with humor, except here the flaws are political crises and historic convictions.
Spotlight on Trump’s Public Scrutiny
As the lyric shifts to “rips in my jeans,” Newsom inserts footage of Trump’s legs, which have drawn repeated headlines due to his chronic venous insufficiency. The transition underscores how even Trump’s physical condition has become a subject of public focus. At the same time, the video includes a mock-up depicting Trump reading one of Newsom’s earlier posts, specifically the one calling Trump’s response to Proposition 50 “the ramblings of an old man that knows he’s about to LOSE.”
Juxtaposing Past Meetings
The video then cuts to photos of Newsom and Trump during their January meeting in Los Angeles as the lyric “perfection is my enemy” plays. This is followed by a stark scene in the Oval Office in which Trump stands perfectly still while a man collapses behind him, timed with the lyric “On my own I’m so clumsy.” The editing reinforces a stark contrast between presentation and reality, echoing both the song’s message and Newsom’s ongoing criticism.
Hard-Hitting Visual Reminders
Newsom escalates the critique by layering in clips of Trump with the late Jeffrey Epstein, alongside moments that have become internet staples, including Trump staring into the sun, stumbling up the steps of Air Force One, and removing his suit jacket with visible difficulty. These images highlight a pattern of controversial associations and unflattering viral footage, extending the video’s theme of exposing imperfections that Trump prefers to sidestep.
Finishing With Trump’s Own Words
The video concludes with a screenshot of a recent Newsom post that flipped Trump’s insult “quiet, piggy” back on him. The post features an unflattering shot of Trump mid-jacket removal, emphasizing how Newsom uses Trump’s own language as a political boomerang. The ending reinforces the governor’s strategy of mixing humor, sharp timing, and cultural currency to land his point.
Political Stakes Behind the Troll
Newsom has spent much of the year posting consistent, high profile jabs at Trump, securing his place as one of the president’s most vocal critics. Many political observers see the pattern as groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential bid. Newsom, elected in 2018 and limited to two terms, will leave office after 2026. He has said he will decide on a White House run after the 2026 midterms, but his sharpened digital persona suggests he is keeping national audiences in view.