President Donald Trump has launched a preemptive strike against potential Democratic rivals for the 2028 presidential election, targeting high-profile governors with a barrage of social media jabs and public criticisms. In recent weeks, Trump has zeroed in on California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, portraying them as emblematic of liberal excesses on crime, immigration, and governance. The offensive, aides say, is designed to shape the narrative for the post-Trump era, even as the president focuses on his second-term agenda.
Trump’s trolling escalated over the weekend with a meme on Truth Social depicting himself as the helicopter-riding colonel from “Apocalypse Now,” captioned: “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” The post mocked Pritzker’s handling of urban violence amid Trump’s push to rename the Department of Defense, tying it to his immigration crackdowns. Earlier, Trump assailed Newsom for California’s sanctuary policies and wildfires, calling him a “failed governor” unfit for national leadership. He also ridiculed Moore over a disputed Bronze Star claim from his military service, suggesting it spelled “the end” of the governor’s career—despite Moore receiving the award last year.
None of the governors has declared a 2028 run—Moore has explicitly ruled it out—but Trump is treating them as frontrunners to define the Democratic field early. GOP strategists view the attacks as a dual-purpose tactic: rallying the base for 2026 midterms while contrasting Republican strength on wedge issues like crime. “They’re his foil. And they’re a great foil to have,” said American Conservative Union Chair Matt Schlapp.
Newsom fired back with his own trolling, mimicking Trump’s all-caps style on X to highlight federal overreach. Pritzker dismissed the barbs as “desperate distractions,” while Moore called them “baseless smears.” As Trump’s political operation ramps up funding for allied candidates, the skirmishes signal a contentious path to 2028.
