California Governor Gavin Newsom is making headlines again, and this time, it’s not about wildfires or homelessness in his state. It’s about a coin. Yes, a coin. Not a real one made of gold or silver—but a joke, a jab, a political stunt aimed at President Donald Trump.
This week, Newsom said he might add a new product to his online store: a “Trump Corruption Coin.” He made the comment while mocking Trump’s past involvement with a meme cryptocurrency. Newsom told a crowd that he once talked to Trump “about his crypto grift,” and then joked about adding a coin to his shop. “I think we’ll add a coin,” he said. “Maybe a Trump corruption coin or something.”
For those who haven’t seen it, Newsom’s online store is filled with items meant to mock Trump. The store, called “The Patriot Shop,” features hats, mugs, and shirts. One red hat looks just like Trump’s famous “Make America Great Again” cap, but instead it says, “Newsom Was Right About Everything!”
On social media, Newsom is also copying Trump’s style. He posts tweets in all caps, makes bold claims, and even refers to himself with fake initials like “GCN”—a clear mock of Trump’s “DJT” sign-offs. In one post, Newsom wrote: “EXCEPT WHAT IS WRITTEN AND BROADCAST IN THE FAKE NEWS, I NOW HAVE THE HIGHEST POLL NUMBERS I’VE EVER HAD, SOME IN THE 60’S AND EVEN 70’S. THANK YOU. MAKE AMERICA GAVIN AGAIN!!! — GCN”
It’s all clearly meant to poke fun at Trump. But here’s the thing—how serious is this “coin” idea? And what’s really going on here?
First, the coin hasn’t actually been made yet. Newsom only mentioned the idea in passing. There’s no product listing, no photo, and no price. So for now, it’s just talk.
Second, Newsom’s claim about Trump being involved in a crypto “grift” is misleading. Trump didn’t create any cryptocurrency, but earlier this year, a meme coin called “TRUMP” did get attention online. The coin was created by fans, not Trump himself. At one point, Trump did appear to promote it, or at least allow it to be linked to his name. But there’s no evidence that Trump personally ran the coin or made money from it. If there was a “grift,” it wasn’t led by the president.
So what’s Newsom really doing here?
To put it simply, he’s trolling. He’s trying to get attention. And he may be testing the waters for his own political future. Newsom has long been seen as a possible Democrat candidate for president. By mocking Trump, he’s trying to win points with the left and show that he can play hardball.
But here’s something worth thinking about. While Newsom is busy selling joke hats and talking about fake coins, California is facing real problems. The state has some of the highest taxes in the country. Homelessness is out of control in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Businesses are leaving. People are moving out in record numbers.
Is this really the time for a governor to be running a political merch store?
President Trump, for his part, has not yet responded to the “Trump Corruption Coin” idea. But if the past is any guide, he’ll have something to say soon—and it probably won’t be kind.
In the end, Newsom’s coin doesn’t exist—at least not yet. His store is real, and so is his attempt to draw attention by mocking the president. But whether it’s funny or just foolish depends on who you ask. One thing is clear: while Newsom is busy playing politics with merchandise, Trump is back in the White House, and he’s focused on running the country.
Maybe it’s time for Newsom to focus on running his state.