General Discussion

Governor Gavin Newsom figured this out. While Democrats spent years wringing their hands about “norms” and “dignity,” Newsom did something radical: he started fighting fire with fire. He’s trolling Trump with memes, calling his officials “fascist cucks,” and posting TikToks that mock the president with Nickelback songs. The pearl-clutchers are horrified. The psychologists? They’re fascinated.

Research on bullying reveals an uncomfortable truth that contradicts decades of feel-good advice. Studies of children aged 11–12 found that those who “returned hostility with hostility appeared to be the most mature.” Boys who stood up to bullies were “judged more socially competent by their teachers,” while girls who fought back were “more popular and more admired by teachers and peers”.

Newsom isn’t just trolling for attention; he’s using scientifically validated psychological principles to challenge authoritarian behavior. He’s discovered that sometimes the most effective way to protect democratic norms isn’t to model them perfectly, but to prevent their opponents from trampling them completely.