California Governor Gavin Newsom attempted to lampoon Vice President JD Vance with an AI-generated video on November 13, 2025, but the effort may have had the opposite effect. The video depicted Vance as a destructive superhero flying over a burning Los Angeles skyline, accompanied by the soundtrack of “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, intended as a parody of his criticisms of the state’s crises.

Instead of undermining Vance, the clip quickly gained traction among conservative audiences on X, who praised the visual as portraying the Vice President heroically. Users created and shared memes celebrating Vance, turning Newsom’s attempt at mockery into a boost for his public image.

The viral exchange highlights growing digital tensions between Newsom, who is reportedly considering a 2028 presidential bid, and Vance, a rising figure in the Trump administration. It also underscores the ongoing public conversation around California’s major challenges, including wildfires, state debt, and governance issues, which remain a key point of debate between the two political figures.

Observers note that the incident demonstrates the unpredictable nature of social media and AI-generated content, where political satire can quickly be reframed as admiration, and where digital messaging often blurs the line between criticism and unintended promotion.