Viral images depict Gavin Newsom in exaggerated, doctored roles ranging from superhero and religious icon to parody romance model. These memes repurpose Trump-style self-mythologizing and rely on recurring visual cues to create subconscious associations of grandeur or ridicule. The format allows creators plausible deniability by framing content as humor while effectively injecting political iconography into public perception. Memes exploit emotional, nonrational processing, making repeated images influential even when consciously rejected. The tactic blurs lines between parody and propaganda, enabling supporters or opponents to manipulate imagery without overt admission of intent.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back on TikTok, viral Gavin Newsom memes are taking over social media. There's Newsom Photoshopped into a classic black-and-white Calvin Klein ad (faux ripped abs and all). Newsom on the cover of a pretend romance novel (Fabio bodice ripper vibes abound). Newsom in a T-shirt declaring, This is my real hair (an unsubtle jab at President Trump). And my personal favorite: an AI-generated image of Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock and Tucker Carlson praying over him.
The most audacious? A parody of Trump's iconic post-assassination-attempt photo except Newsom isn't raising a fist. He's holding a bottle of ketchup (presumably referencing fake blood). Then there's Newsom sipping from a mug labeled MAGA Tears. Newsom as Superman. Newsom as Mel Gibson in The Patriot. Newsom with Jesus behind him, hands on his shoulders. Unseemly? Yes. Effective? Probably.
Memes work because they bypass the rational brain and target our subconscious. See someone enough times in a cape, glowing halo overhead and American flags flying, all while mounting a lion and eventually part of you absorbs the message: This person is larger than life. And here's the genius part: There's plausible deniability for the purveyor. Memes are propaganda posing as parody.
Collection
[
|
...
]