Gavin Newsom Drops Meme Coin to Mock Trump’s Crypto Empire

California Governor Gavin Newsom is set to launch a memecoin dubbed the “Trump Corruption Coin,” in what he describes as a direct response to Donald Trump’s involvement in cryptocurrency. The move is part of Newsom’s broader “Campaign for Democracy” initiative, with proceeds from the memecoin intended for redistricting efforts and voter outreach, according to a recent interview on the “Pivot” podcast [2]. Newsom emphasized the coin’s intent to highlight what he views as the “absurdity” and “corruption” of Trump’s political and financial conduct [1].

The governor’s foray into the crypto space follows a week of heightened social media activity mocking Trump’s signature MAGA branding. Newsom’s official press office on X has replicated the ’s all-caps style and released AI-generated images parodying Trump’s public image, including a version of the governor’s face replacing Trump’s on Mount Rushmore [3]. This campaign has extended to the launch of a “Patriot Store” selling MAGA-style merchandise, including red hats labeled “NEWSOM WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!” [1].

Newsom’s memecoin initiative contrasts with Trump’s own crypto endeavors, which have become a significant source of revenue. The has reportedly earned $57.4 million from his stake in World Liberty Financial (WLFI) and holds 15.75 billion WLFI governance tokens [2]. In June, Trump disclosed these earnings in a public financial disclosure filing. Additionally, The New Yorker estimated in August that Trump has amassed $2.4 billion from crypto-related ventures since 2022, with these assets now accounting for nearly 44% of his political-era wealth [2]. These figures have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly in light of Trump’s ongoing political influence.

The governor has expressed confidence in the success of his “Trump Corruption Coin,” suggesting it will outperform Trump’s own crypto offerings. During an earlier visit to the White House, Newsom recalled Trump dismissing the value of the governor’s cryptocurrency as “not even a coin,” to which Newsom responded sarcastically [3]. The governor also noted that Trump had mentioned profits made by his wife, Melania, from her own meme coin venture [3].

Newsom’s move into the memecoin market marks a new phase in his political strategy against Trump. The governor has previously distanced himself from conciliatory efforts toward the Trump administration, particularly after the deployed National Guard members and Marines to Los Angeles for immigration-related operations [3]. The governor now frames the memecoin as part of a broader mission to “turn up the heat” on what he considers the erosion of democratic norms and transparency [2].

The release of the “Trump Corruption Coin” will not only serve as a political statement but also test the viability of memecoins as fundraising tools in political campaigns. While the success of such tokens is often unpredictable, Newsom’s initiative underscores the growing intersection of politics, social media, and digital finance. With the governor also hinting at the potential for a satirical perfume line, the campaign appears to blend both humor and seriousness in its critique of Trump’s influence and wealth [3].

Source:

[1] Gavin Newsom teases he's launching his own memecoin (https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/27/gavin-newsom-launching-own-memecoin-00533122)

[2] California governor teases 'Trump Corruption Coin' in jab ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/california-governor-trump-corruption-coin-maga-memecoins)

[3] Newsom is releasing meme coin in ongoing effort to mock ... (https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/newsom-to-up-his-offensive-on-trump-with-more-social-media-posts-and-meme-coin/3771835/)