Unseemly? Sure. Efficient? In all probability.
We’d prefer to assume we’re too subtle to fall for this nonsense. However memes work as a result of they bypass the rational mind and goal our unconscious. See somebody sufficient occasions in a cape, glowing halo overhead and American flags flying, all whereas mounting a lion — and finally a part of you absorbs the message: This particular person is bigger than life.
For years, Trump monopolized this infantile, if devious, sport. That’s partly as a result of it takes appreciable audacity to advertise a picture of your self as a ripped Marvel superhero (or because the pope) once you’re visibly … not.
Absurd however efficient
However shamelessness is Trump’s superpower.
He’s borrowing the Trump playbook: daring federal officers to “ arrest me,” vowing to “ fight like hell” towards the Trump administration’s efforts to extract $1 billion from UCLA and even slapping a Trump-style title on a invoice (the “Election Rigging Response Act”) to counter Texas’ try to create 5 new Republican congressional seats.
On this weird new Trumpian section of American politics, California’s governor isn’t sitting again. He’s hitting again. He’s combating on Trump’s turf (TikTok, X, Bluesky and Instagram) and in the identical meme financial system.
Truly believable
And it simply may work. Keep in mind the 2016 major? Republican voters omitted the “serious” candidates and went with Trump, largely as a result of “he fights.”
To make certain, Democrats are usually not Republicans. Their base has totally different priorities. However don’t rule out the chance that toughness — and a willingness to throw elbows on-line — might resonate with voters who watched Trump roll over Kamala Harris.
This brings us to the California drawback.
Matt Okay. Lewis is the writer of “ Filthy Rich Politicians” and “ Too Dumb to Fail.” ©2025 Los Angeles Instances. Distributed by Tribune Content material Company.
