Gavin Newsom Launches Satirical Coin to Mock Trump’s Crypto Empire

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to launch a memecoin dubbed the “Trump Corruption Coin,” marking a sharp escalation in his public critique of Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency ventures. The coin, intended to satirize Trump’s dealings in digital assets, is part of Newsom’s broader “Campaign for Democracy,” with proceeds set to support voter outreach and redistricting efforts [2]. Newsom revealed the plan during an interview on the “Pivot” podcast, emphasizing his intent to highlight what he described as “absurdity” in Trump’s financial dealings [2]. “We’re about to put a meme coin out,” Newsom said. “And you know what, Donald Trump? We’ll see how well your coin does versus our coin,” he added [2].

Newsom’s memecoin initiative follows a weeklong campaign mocking Trump’s MAGA branding and social media style. The California governor’s “Governor Newsom Press Office” account on X has mirrored Trump’s signature all-caps tone, including a post that read: “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” [2]. The governor also launched an online store, the “Patriot Store,” featuring MAGA-style merchandise, including red hats reading “NEWSOM WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!” [1].

Newsom has not ruled out the potential for the memecoin to gain traction beyond its satirical intent. In a separate conversation with POLITICO, the governor teased that the coin would likely feature a Trump-related theme, saying, “maybe a Trump corruption coin or something” [1]. He has previously mocked Trump’s involvement in digital assets, referring to him as “one of the great grifters of our time” and questioning the legitimacy of his financial dealings [2]. Newsom’s remarks have drawn attention from both political and financial commentators, who have noted the governor’s bold use of cryptocurrency as a political tool.

Trump’s crypto-related ventures have drawn scrutiny for years. In June 2025, Trump disclosed earning $57.4 million from his stake in World Liberty Financial, a firm that issues governance tokens [2]. His financial disclosure report listed ownership of 15.75 billion WLFI tokens, with income attributed to token sales [2]. The has also been linked to a private dinner with buyers of his Trump-themed token earlier this year, and his company, Trump Media and Technology Group, claims to hold over $2 billion in Bitcoin and other digital assets [2]. In July 2025, The New Yorker reported that Trump’s crypto-related ventures have generated an estimated $2.4 billion since 2022, accounting for nearly 44% of his political-era wealth [2].

The political and financial implications of Newsom’s memecoin remain to be seen. Analysts suggest the move could galvanize anti-Trump sentiment among younger, crypto-savvy voters while simultaneously testing the regulatory boundaries of state-led digital asset projects. The governor’s initiative highlights the growing intersection of politics and cryptocurrency, where digital tokens are increasingly used not only as investment vehicles but also as tools of political messaging and satire [1]. As the Trump Corruption Coin moves closer to launch, it will likely attract attention from both supporters and critics of both men, further fueling the ongoing debate over the role of digital assets in public life.

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[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)