
Gavin Newsom has executed a masterclass in political judo, turning Donald Trump's favourite rhetorical weapon squarely back on the President as the 2026 midterm battle lines harden.
By coining 'California Derangement Syndrome' (CDS) in a viral social media thread on Friday, the California Governor did more than score a point in a long-running feud; he exposed the increasingly volatile nature of the White House's strategy.