'He put on a great show': Analyst claims Trump was 'surprised' by Newsom's 'X factor'
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proved that he can keep up with President Donald Trump in one key aspect, according to one analyst.
Newsom has positioned himself as the governor most willing to take on Trump in a head-to-head battle over policy issues, such as crime and immigration. Elex Michaelson, a former reporter at FOX 11 LA, told progressive YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen on his show "No Lies" on Sunday that Newsom has also proven that he can captivate audiences in the same way Trump can.
"The reason Trump got so much 'free media attention' in 2016 is that he put on a great show," Michaelson said. "Newsom is doing the same thing."
Trump has become known by some experts as the "entertainer in chief" due to his background in reality television and his obsession with television ratings. That has given him an advantage over more traditional politicians because he knows how to appeal to a general audience.
However, Newsom may be taking Trump's advantage away from him, Michaelson argued.
"Trump, I think, is surprised by this because he's used to our party not doing anything," Michaelson said. "He's used to our party spending a lot of time focused on candlelight vigils and saying the right things but not actually punching back."
The move also bodes well for Newsom's chances during the 2028 election, Michaelson suggested.
"Newsome is showing that he can adapt," he said. "And look at look at what he did just this week. He makes that announcement; he sits down with with me; he sits down with you; he sits down with Meidas Touch and Pod Save America and Heather Cox Richardson. His speech is broadcast live on all the cable networks. It was the lead story on almost all of the local networks that I saw here."
Michaelsaon added that Newsom generated "millions" of impressions with this strategy, "at a time when very few [Democrats] are breaking through in terms of messaging.