In response to a social media feud, Vance tells Gavin Newsom that political authenticity is the key to success.
Vice President J.D. Vance last week provided some “free political advice” to California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been repeatedly mocking the vice president with the nickname “Just Dance Vance” on social media. The public spat is the latest escalation in a series of tit-for-tat exchanges between the two politicians, with Newsom adopting a social media style that mimics the president’s.
Appearing on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Vance was asked about Newsom’s new nickname for him, which the governor’s office debuted on X (formerly Twitter) on August 16.
READ: Dr. Phil Scolds Left For Opposing Crime Crackdown Just Because It’s Led By Trump
“This idea that Gavin Newsom is somehow going to mimic Donald Trump’s style,” Vance said, “I think that ignores the fundamental genius of President Trump’s political success, which is that he’s authentic. He just is who he is.”
The vice president’s comments come as Newsom’s office has embraced a new and more combative online persona, complete with all-caps posts, exclamation points, and a focus on insulting nicknames for political opponents—a style long associated with the current president. Newsom’s press account first used the “Just Dance Vance” moniker while commenting on Vance’s visit to Indiana, where the vice president was encouraging Republican legislators to consider their own redistricting efforts. The governor’s office later doubled down on the nickname, sharing a doctored image of Vance’s face on a break-dancer.
The online hostilities mirror a broader political conflict between California and the federal administration. Newsom has backed a redistricting bill in his state that would likely cost Republicans five seats in the House, a move designed to take effect only if a similar measure backed by the president in Texas is ratified. The feud intensified in June when federal troops were deployed to Los Angeles during unrest sparked by immigration raids.
READ: Bill Gates Reportedly Turns Off Cash Spigot For Left-Wing Dark Money Network
When asked by host Laura Ingraham for his “favorite dance,” Vance pivoted to a critique of the Democratic Party’s political strategy.
“I mean, look, the autopsy for the Democrats,” he stated, “some free political advice from the president of the United States, is stop sounding like crazy people. That really is all it is.” He continued, “You’ve got to be yourself, you’ve got to actually talk to people honestly about the issues. I don’t think it’s that complicated; don’t be a crazy person, be authentic, if the Democrats did that, they’d do a hell of a lot better.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
