You really can't make this stuff up anymore. If you had "California Governor Gavin Newsom gets into a digital spat with the Ghost of Hulkamania" on your 2025 bingo card, congratulations. You’re a psychic.
Politics has always been a bit of a circus. We know this. But lately, it’s like the circus tent caught fire and the clowns started doing MMA. The recent intersection of Gavin Newsom and the late wrestling icon Hulk Hogan is the perfect example of how bizarre things have gotten. It’s a mix of AI-generated memes, aggressive "trolling" from the Governor’s office, and a complete shift in how Democrats are fighting the culture war.
Honestly, it's kind of fascinating.
Why Everyone is Talking About Gavin Newsom and Hulk Hogan
The whole thing kicked off in the summer of 2025. Hulk Hogan, the man who basically defined 80s wrestling, passed away in July at the age of 71. Before he died, he made a massive splash at the 2024 Republican National Convention. He did the whole bit—ripping his shirt off, screaming about "Trumpamania," and calling Donald Trump a "real American hero." It was vintage Hogan.
But then things took a turn for the surreal.
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A few weeks after Hogan’s passing, Gavin Newsom’s social media team went on an absolute tear. They started posting these wild, AI-generated images that flipped the script on MAGA iconography. One image in particular went viral: it depicted Gavin Newsom as a sort of "Chosen One," with Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock, and Tucker Carlson standing over him in prayer.
It was a direct parody of a famous pro-Trump painting.
People lost their minds. Some thought it was hilarious. Others thought it was incredibly disrespectful to use Hogan’s likeness so soon after his death. But Newsom didn't back down. He actually told reporters he hoped it was a "wake-up call" for the country. Basically, he decided to fight fire with fire—or in this case, memes with memes.
The Strategy Behind the "Troll-in-Chief"
Why would a sitting governor of the largest state in the union spend his time posting memes of a dead wrestler? It sounds like a waste of time, right? Well, maybe not if you’re looking at the 2028 chessboard.
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Newsom is clearly positioning himself as the guy who isn't afraid to "punch back." For years, Democrats have been criticized by their own base for being too polite. Too "when they go low, we go high." Newsom has clearly decided that "going high" isn't working anymore.
Breaking Down the Newsom Playbook:
- Aping the Trump Style: Newsom’s team started using all-caps, "nicknames" for opponents (like calling Dana Perino "Dana Ding-Dong"), and aggressive rhetoric.
- Visual Dominance: Using AI-generated imagery to reclaim the "tough guy" or "patriotic" aesthetic usually reserved for the right.
- The "Real Patriot" Branding: Newsom launched a line of "Real Patriot" merchandise to compete with MAGA gear.
By involving Hulk Hogan, Newsom was leaning into a symbol of Americana that had become synonymous with Republican rallies. By mocking it—or co-opting it—he’s trying to show that the left can be just as loud and "alpha" as the right.
The Controversy: Did He Go Too Far?
There’s a pretty big divide on whether this was a smart move. On one hand, Newsom's engagement numbers are through the roof. He's the "ratings king" of the Democratic party right now. On the other hand, many people—including some fellow Democrats—find it a bit... deranged.
Republican Leader James Gallagher didn't hold back, saying Newsom is just doing this to further his "presidential ambitions." And he’s probably right. You don't pick a fight with a dead legend's memory unless you're trying to get a reaction.
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The ethics of using AI to depict a deceased person (Hulk Hogan) in a political ad is a whole other can of worms. It raises questions about "Digital Afterlife" rights. Can a politician use your face for a joke after you're gone? In 2026, the law is still trying to catch up to the technology.
What This Means for the Future of Politics
We are officially in the era of "Post-Policy" communication. It’s less about tax brackets and more about who can win the 24-hour news cycle with the most outrageous tweet.
If you're trying to keep up, here’s what you should actually take away from the Gavin Newsom Hulk Hogan saga:
- Memes are the new press releases. If a politician wants to reach anyone under 40, they aren't doing it through a white paper. They’re doing it through a "shirtless Newsom riding a raptor" image.
- The 2028 Primary has already started. Every move Newsom makes is a signal to the Democratic donor class that he is the "fighter" they’ve been looking for.
- Expect more AI in ads. This won't be the last time we see a digital ghost used for political points. It's cheap, it's fast, and it goes viral.
Moving forward, it’s worth watching how other candidates respond. Will they follow Newsom’s lead and start trolling, or will they stick to traditional campaigning? If the "Hulkamania" feud is any indication, the next few years are going to be very loud, very weird, and very digital.
Keep an eye on the Governor’s shop—the "Real Patriot" gear is selling out, which tells you everything you need to know about where the energy is right now.
Actionable Insights for Following This Trend:
- Monitor Social Media Metrics: Watch Newsom’s engagement compared to other 2028 hopefuls. If his "trolling" continues to outperform traditional messaging, expect others to copy the style.
- Stay Informed on AI Legislation: Pay attention to state bills regarding "Digital Replicas." California is currently at the center of the debate on whether AI-generated likenesses of celebrities (like Hogan) require family consent for political use.
- Verify the Source: As AI images get better, always double-check if a "photo" of a politician is real or a parody before sharing. Most of the Newsom/Hogan images are explicitly labeled as satire, but they often lose those labels as they travel across the internet.