In the swirling world of American politics, few spectacles have captured the late-summer headlines quite like California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent foray into Trump-style parody and cryptocurrency satire. As August 2025 drew to a close, Newsom’s political ambitions—always a topic of speculation—have become more transparent, with his actions and words signaling an all-but-certain run for the White House in 2028. But rather than treading a conventional path, Newsom has chosen to step into the limelight with a campaign that is equal parts imitation, mockery, and digital-age showmanship.
It all began in mid-August, when Newsom’s social media team launched a calculated campaign to mirror the online persona of former President Donald Trump. According to Politico, the "Governor Newsom Press Office" account on X (formerly Twitter) began posting in all caps, sharing outlandish memes—such as Newsom’s face on Mount Rushmore and being prayed over by Tucker Carlson, Kid Rock, and an angelic Hulk Hogan—and adopting the very cadence and bravado that made Trump a social media juggernaut. One post even declared, “MANY people call him GAVIN CHRISTOPHER ‘COLUMBUS’ NEWSOM (BECAUSE OF THE MAPS!). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.”
The parody extended far beyond mere tweets. Newsom unveiled an online "Patriot Store" in August, hawking MAGA-style merchandise, including red hats that boldly proclaim, "NEWSOM WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!" The governor’s team seemed determined to show that he could not only take on Trump’s online bravado but also outdo it—at least in the eyes of Democratic partisans.
But the pièce de résistance came on August 31, when Newsom announced the impending launch of a satirical cryptocurrency: the “Trump Corruption Coin.” As reported by Cointelegraph and Politico, Newsom revealed the plan during an appearance on the “Pivot” podcast. “We’re about to put a meme coin out,” Newsom declared. “And you know what, Donald Trump? We’ll see how well your coin does versus our coin.” The coin, he explained, is designed to lampoon Trump’s well-publicized ventures into the world of digital assets. Proceeds from the coin will support Newsom’s “Campaign for Democracy,” funding voter outreach and redistricting efforts.
“Maybe a Trump corruption coin or something,” Newsom teased in a separate interview, hinting that the satirical token would lean heavily into its anti-Trump branding. The governor has not shied away from sharp language, previously labeling Trump “one of the great grifters of our time” and questioning the legitimacy of his financial dealings, according to Cointelegraph.
The timing of Newsom’s crypto gambit is no accident. Trump’s own cryptocurrency ventures have been making headlines all summer. In June 2025, Trump disclosed earning $57.4 million from his stake in World Liberty Financial, a company that issues governance tokens. His financial disclosure listed ownership of 15.75 billion WLFI tokens, with income attributed to token sales. The New Yorker reported in July that Trump’s crypto-related activities have generated roughly $2.4 billion since 2022—an eye-popping 44% of his political-era wealth. Trump Media and Technology Group, his digital media enterprise, claims to hold over $2 billion in Bitcoin and other assets. The former president’s penchant for monetizing his brand, especially with digital tokens, has drawn both admiration and skepticism from across the political spectrum.
Newsom’s digital campaign—whether in tweets, hats, or coins—has certainly made waves within the Democratic Party. As Politico observed, the “Governor Newsom Press Office” account on X ballooned from fewer than 300,000 followers to more than 567,000 by the end of August. Democratic commentators have been quick to declare the imitation campaign a success, at least within their own ranks. Steve Bannon, quoted by Politico, offered a grudging nod: “He’s no Trump, but if you look at the Democratic Party, he’s at least getting up there, and he’s trying to imitate a Trumpian vision of fighting, right? He looks like the only person in the Democratic Party who is organizing a fight that they feel they can win.”
Yet, the reception outside these partisan circles has been far more mixed. While Democrats have cheered Newsom’s willingness to take the fight to Trump on his own terms, Republicans and Trump supporters have largely dismissed the effort as derivative and uninspired. According to blue News, U.S. Vice President JD Vance was blunt in his assessment, declaring, “You can’t imitate the king.” The sentiment among many on the right is that parody cannot substitute for substance, and that Newsom’s campaign is more about chasing viral moments than offering real solutions.
Even some commentators sympathetic to Newsom’s aims have urged caution. Tom Nichols, writing for The Atlantic, acknowledged that Newsom “has made his point and should move on,” suggesting that the parody, while clever, may have run its course. Republican strategist Kevin Madden, cited in The Hill, observed that Democrats seem focused on “communications tactics” rather than “messaging”—a subtle but important distinction that raises questions about the long-term impact of Newsom’s strategy: “He’s got a new podcast and a more aggressive social media presence, but other than more clicks and downloads has that shifted the dynamics or public debate in his favor, or improved the national party brand?”
Meanwhile, back in California, Newsom has faced criticism for focusing on digital theatrics rather than addressing pressing issues at home. In 2025, he deployed California Highway Patrol teams to crime hotspots, a move widely interpreted as a response to President Trump’s threats to send in the National Guard to cities struggling with crime. Critics argue that these efforts are more about optics than outcomes, especially when local prosecutors are seen as lenient and the underlying crises—such as business departures and housing woes—remain unsolved.
Still, Newsom’s digital maneuvers may be serving their purpose within the party. With Vice President Kamala Harris’s political fortunes fading and few other Democrats capturing national attention, Newsom’s willingness to “fight fire with fire”—even if that means fighting memes with memes—has positioned him as a contender for 2028. The “Trump Corruption Coin” and MAGA-style merchandise aren’t just stunts; they’re signals to Democratic voters hungry for a candidate who can stand up to Trump’s unique blend of showmanship and bluster.
As the lines between politics, entertainment, and finance continue to blur, Newsom’s strategy reflects a new reality: in the age of social media and cryptocurrency, the battle for hearts and minds is fought as much with memes and tokens as with speeches and policies. Whether this approach will resonate beyond the Democratic base—and whether it can translate into real political momentum—remains to be seen. For now, one thing is certain: Gavin Newsom has made himself impossible to ignore, and the contest for 2028 is already taking on a distinctly digital flavor.
