There was a time when I admired the nobility of Michelle Obama’s famous words: “When they go low, we go high.” And truthfully, I still do. It’s an aspirational call that urges us to rise above the swamp of pettiness, mudslinging, and cruelty that has poisoned so much of our politics.
But let’s be honest: the swamp has risen higher. Donald Trump doesn’t just go low—he goes subterranean, gleefully burrowing through the worst instincts of fear and division. He thrives on name-calling, distortion, and mockery because it works. He’s built an entire political brand on weaponizing ridicule.
And it isn’t just Trump himself. He’s deliberately surrounded himself with a rogues’ gallery of enablers—staffers, cabinet members, and “advisors” who are little more than hate‑mongering Fox News personalities and podcasters like Pete Hegseth and Dan Bongino, or outright white supremacists like Stephen Miller, who don’t even bother to hide their contempt for the America that existed prior to Trump 1.0.
Together, they’ve normalized cruelty as governing philosophy and propaganda as policymaking.
Fighting Fire With Fire
Enter Gavin Newsom.
California’s governor has decided not to play by the old script. Instead of solemnly shaking his head at Trump’s antics, he’s gone right at him—often with the very tools Trump has used so effectively.
Social media zingers. Sharp‑edged humor. A willingness to punch back instead of pretending the bully will eventually tire himself out.
FINAL WARNING DONALD TRUMP — MAYBE THE MOST IMPORTANT WARNING IN HISTORY! STOP CHEATING OR CALIFORNIA WILL REDRAW THE MAPS. AND GUESS WHO WILL ANNOUNCE IT THIS WEEK? GAVIN NEWSOM (MANY SAY THE MOST LOVED & HANDSOME GOVERNOR) AND A VERY POWERFUL TEAM. DON’T MAKE US DO IT!!! THANK…
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 12, 2025
That contrast matters. One approach feeds fear; the other punctures it.
And here’s the thing: it’s energizing. Watching Newsom mock Trump’s schtick doesn’t feel small—it feels like relief. Someone finally speaking the language Trump’s base actually hears, but turning it back on him. Someone refusing to surrender the ground of passion, fire, and conviction.
The Limits of Nobility
Don’t misunderstand me: I’m not calling for cruelty as a prolonged or normalized political strategy. In case you’re not aware of it, there is a danger inherent in fighting fire with fire. It is that we can eventually become indistinguishable from an arsonist.
And, in a more civil environment, gentle humor, subtle satire and noble debate have always had an effective place in confronting power.
Think of civil rights leaders who exhibited wit alongside courage. Think of artists, comedians, and influencers who knew the sting of truth often comes with some laughter attached to it. Think of leaders who were willing to speak their convictions based on an honest, yet balanced, perspective.
But let’s not confuse sharp political disagreements with evil ruthlessness.
Right now, we’re not living in times of normal political debate or disagreement. And, you can’t have an honest debate with someone who wants you dead. And humor and satire are lost on people with no sense of humor.
So I disagree with Donna Brazeale when she says, “These are serious times…and we need serious people at the table.”
We are actually living in ruthless times, fighting ruthless people, and sometimes the only counter that is effective is to openly and ruthlessly ridicule their ignorance and stupidity.
Just as the most effective counter to absurdity is being absurd, the best response to rude people is rudeness.
I believe that’s what Gavin Newsom is showing us in this moment. He’s not advocating violence or dehumanization. He’s simply stripping the stupid rude emperor of his gaudy, spray-tanned clothes and exposing his enormously ignorant viewpoints.
At some point, morality that never leaves the high road risks turning into passivity. And passivity, in the face of authoritarian impulses, is its own kind of complicity. In fact, it might be that type of morally-based, high-road politics was ambushed in 2016 and dealt a severe blow. And we were pretending it was just a light bruise for the last eight years.
We can’t afford to think that or pretend anymore.
Why I’m “Team Newsom”
So yes—call me Team Newsom. Not because I think he’s flawless, or because I believe trolling should be the future of American politics. But because I’ve grown weary of watching good people bring a library card to a knife fight.
Sometimes, the most moral thing you can do is laugh at the absurdity of evil. Sometimes, the loudest rebuke you can give a bully is to show he’s not scary at all—just pathetic.
If that means meeting Trump in the arena of sharp words and sharper wit, so be it. We’ve tried the high road. Right now, it looks like the low road is the only route that actually leads to a win.
Randomly Rudimentary Faith Stuff 
Call Me “Team Newsom”
By LONNIE KING
There was a time when I admired the nobility of Michelle Obama’s famous words: “When they go low, we go high.” And truthfully, I still do. It’s an aspirational call that urges us to rise above the swamp of pettiness, mudslinging, and cruelty that has poisoned so much of our politics.
But let’s be honest: the swamp has risen higher. Donald Trump doesn’t just go low—he goes subterranean, gleefully burrowing through the worst instincts of fear and division. He thrives on name-calling, distortion, and mockery because it works. He’s built an entire political brand on weaponizing ridicule.
And it isn’t just Trump himself. He’s deliberately surrounded himself with a rogues’ gallery of enablers—staffers, cabinet members, and “advisors” who are little more than hate‑mongering Fox News personalities and podcasters like Pete Hegseth and Dan Bongino, or outright white supremacists like Stephen Miller, who don’t even bother to hide their contempt for the America that existed prior to Trump 1.0.
Together, they’ve normalized cruelty as governing philosophy and propaganda as policymaking.
Fighting Fire With Fire
Enter Gavin Newsom.
California’s governor has decided not to play by the old script. Instead of solemnly shaking his head at Trump’s antics, he’s gone right at him—often with the very tools Trump has used so effectively.
Social media zingers. Sharp‑edged humor. A willingness to punch back instead of pretending the bully will eventually tire himself out.
That contrast matters. One approach feeds fear; the other punctures it.
And here’s the thing: it’s energizing. Watching Newsom mock Trump’s schtick doesn’t feel small—it feels like relief. Someone finally speaking the language Trump’s base actually hears, but turning it back on him. Someone refusing to surrender the ground of passion, fire, and conviction.
The Limits of Nobility
Don’t misunderstand me: I’m not calling for cruelty as a prolonged or normalized political strategy. In case you’re not aware of it, there is a danger inherent in fighting fire with fire. It is that we can eventually become indistinguishable from an arsonist.
And, in a more civil environment, gentle humor, subtle satire and noble debate have always had an effective place in confronting power.
Think of civil rights leaders who exhibited wit alongside courage. Think of artists, comedians, and influencers who knew the sting of truth often comes with some laughter attached to it. Think of leaders who were willing to speak their convictions based on an honest, yet balanced, perspective.
But let’s not confuse sharp political disagreements with evil ruthlessness.
Right now, we’re not living in times of normal political debate or disagreement. And, you can’t have an honest debate with someone who wants you dead. And humor and satire are lost on people with no sense of humor.
So I disagree with Donna Brazeale when she says, “These are serious times…and we need serious people at the table.”
We are actually living in ruthless times, fighting ruthless people, and sometimes the only counter that is effective is to openly and ruthlessly ridicule their ignorance and stupidity.
Just as the most effective counter to absurdity is being absurd, the best response to rude people is rudeness.
I believe that’s what Gavin Newsom is showing us in this moment. He’s not advocating violence or dehumanization. He’s simply stripping the stupid rude emperor of his gaudy, spray-tanned clothes and exposing his enormously ignorant viewpoints.
At some point, morality that never leaves the high road risks turning into passivity. And passivity, in the face of authoritarian impulses, is its own kind of complicity. In fact, it might be that type of morally-based, high-road politics was ambushed in 2016 and dealt a severe blow. And we were pretending it was just a light bruise for the last eight years.
We can’t afford to think that or pretend anymore.
Why I’m “Team Newsom”
So yes—call me Team Newsom. Not because I think he’s flawless, or because I believe trolling should be the future of American politics. But because I’ve grown weary of watching good people bring a library card to a knife fight.
Sometimes, the most moral thing you can do is laugh at the absurdity of evil. Sometimes, the loudest rebuke you can give a bully is to show he’s not scary at all—just pathetic.
If that means meeting Trump in the arena of sharp words and sharper wit, so be it. We’ve tried the high road. Right now, it looks like the low road is the only route that actually leads to a win.
And frankly? I’m here for it.
Grace and grit to you! — LK
This is SO good, I've gotta share it!
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