If you ever needed a perfect example of why political messaging from the Left so often falls flat on its face, look no further than this latest gem involving California Governor Gavin Newsom. It’s like watching someone try to tell a joke they don’t understand, and somehow making it worse every step of the way.
For years now, there’s been this running joke online that liberals just can’t meme. And honestly, they keep proving it. Humor requires timing, self-awareness, and at least a basic understanding of what you’re referencing. That last part is where things went completely off the rails here.
According to the report in , Newsom decided to jump into a viral trend comparing public figures to pop culture icons. President Trump had recently sparked buzz over a comparison to Elvis Presley, especially after his visit to Graceland. Say what you want, but at least that comparison is flattering, iconic musician, cultural legend, not exactly controversial territory.
Newsom, on the other hand, apparently thought it would be a great idea to compare himself to Patrick Bateman.
For so many years people have been saying that Patrick Bateman and I look alike. Now this pic has been going all over the place. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/K5j4vKNzUL
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 24, 2026
The fictional character from American Psycho who happens to be a violent serial killer, not to mention a pretty twisted individual overall. And Newsom didn’t compare himself to the actor, Christian Bale, which might have made some sense. No, he went straight for the character itself.
Not sure if your comms guy read who Patrick Bateman is… but I don’t think comparing yourself to Patrick Bateman is the flex you think it is pic.twitter.com/Frewe3dFMM
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) March 24, 2026
That’s not edgy or clever, it’s just clueless.
The internet wasted no time pointing this out. People immediately responded with variations of “you might want to rethink that,” which is putting it mildly. When your attempt at humor results in people questioning your judgment instead of laughing, you’ve missed the mark by a mile.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s visit to Graceland added another layer to the ongoing Elvis comparison. During the tour, it even came out that Elvis was naturally blonde and dyed his hair black. Suddenly, those side-by-side comparisons start looking a lot less far-fetched. It’s one of those strange, entertaining cultural moments that people actually enjoy.
🚨 EPIC! PRESIDENT TRUMP: "I LOVE Elvis! I never met Elvis. I met 'em all, I met Sinatra — I never met Elvis."
"I LOVE Elvis, but I never met him. I am gonna go see Graceland after this." 🔥🔥
📽️ @MargoMartin47 pic.twitter.com/SMOO3m4j6m
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 23, 2026
That’s the difference. One side leans into something fun and lets it resonate naturally. The other forces a comparison that makes people do a double take for all the wrong reasons.
And here’s the bigger issue. Messaging matters. If you can’t even handle something as simple as a social media joke without tripping over your own feet, what does that say about your ability to connect with everyday Americans?
Politics isn’t just about policy papers and press conferences anymore. It’s also about communication, relatability, and yes, even humor. When that piece is missing, it shows.
In this case, it didn’t just show, it went viral for all the wrong reasons.
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