Frank Nez 
On August 22, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized President Donald Trump, comparing his leadership style to that of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un during a fiery rebuke of Trump’s $45 million military parade in Washington, D.C.
The parade, held to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s birthday, was labeled a “vulgar display of weakness” by Newsom, who accused Trump of mimicking authoritarian leaders like Kim and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
The Daily Beast reported that Newsom’s comments, part of his ongoing campaign to troll Trump, have fueled a heated political feud, amplifying tensions as Trump’s domestic crackdown and foreign policy moves draw scrutiny.
Newsom’s Criticism and the Military Parade
During a June 13, 2025, interview, Newsom slammed Trump’s D.C. military parade, stating, “It’s the kind of thing you see with Kim Jong Un, you see it with Putin, you see with dictators around the world that are weak … Weakness masquerading as strength … that’s about as small as it gets,” per The Daily Beast.
The parade, featuring tanks, barricades, and rehearsed soldiers, was criticized as a self-aggrandizing spectacle, with Newsom noting, “How weak do you have to be to commandeer the military to fete you on your birthday?.”
The event, costing $45 million, drew comparisons to authoritarian displays, with Newsom’s remarks going viral, praised by some for “hitting Trump where it hurts,” per Yahoo.
Newsom’s trolling extended to social media, where he posted a TikTok slideshow on June 10, 2025, set to Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down,” captioning Trump as “America’s keyboard warrior” for his Truth Social rants, according to TMZ.
The post, highlighting tensions over Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, garnered support from Swift fans and political watchers, with one commenter noting, “Taylor, Gavin, and the First Amendment—what a trio.”
Newsom’s jabs align with his broader strategy to raise funds and visibility, with his campaign reporting $6.2 million raised in a week for redistricting efforts, per NewsBreak.
Context of Trump’s Kim Jong Un Relationship
Trump’s parade and Newsom’s critique come amid renewed focus on Trump’s relationship with Kim Jong Un.
On January 20, 2025, his first day back in office, Trump boasted, “Kim Jong-un will be happy that I’m back,” referencing their “great relationship” forged during 2018-2019 summits in Singapore and Hanoi, per Korea JoongAng Daily.
However, North Korea rejected a Trump letter seeking renewed dialogue, signaling Kim’s reluctance to reengage.
Trump’s past praise for Kim, including calling him a “smart guy” and exchanging “love letters,” has been criticized as legitimizing a dictator, per Yahoo.
Newsom seized on this, likening Trump’s parade to Kim’s displays of power, per MSN.
The parade also follows Trump’s domestic crackdown, with 2,000 armed National Guard troops deployed in D.C. under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to combat crime and immigration.
Supporters of immigration argue that the administration is not tackling gangsters or criminals, but rather the working class of America who have been here for decades.
Newsom’s comparison to Kim and Putin reflects broader concerns about Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, echoed by critics like former chief of staff John Kelly, who called Trump’s governance fascist.
Public and Political Reactions
Newsom’s remarks resonated widely.
On X, @atrupar shared his parade critique, with users like @Johnny_Zabka commenting, “Absolutely 100% correct,” and @1813Doncarlo noting, “Newsom is showing other Democrats how it’s done.”
However, MAGA supporters, like @GuntherEagleman, defended Trump’s crackdown, arguing it prioritizes safety.
Supporters of the parade honor the service of the nation’s army, with many separating the event from the administration’s crackdown.
Critics, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, rejected Trump’s plans to extend the crackdown, calling it “unconstitutional.”
The controversy ties into broader tensions, including Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, which Newsom condemned as undermining climate goals, according to ABC7 News.
With Trump’s approval rating at 39% per an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, Newsom’s attacks risk deepening his political challenges.
The parade and Kim comparisons amplify concerns about authoritarianism, especially as Trump faces legal battles over National Guard deployments and DOJ actions, like the unlawful appointment of Alina Habba as U.S. Attorney, as earlier reported by FrankNez Media.
North Korea’s rejection of dialogue and Russia’s missile strikes on Ukraine, which Trump criticized, may further complicate his foreign policy.
As the 2026 midterms approach, Newsom’s high-profile trolling could galvanize Democrats but risks escalating partisan divides.
Trump’s ability to counter these critiques while managing domestic and international crises will shape his administration’s trajectory.
But I’m curious to know what you think, leave your thoughts and vote reaction below.
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