Bibles, hats, flags and mugs — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has released new merchandise, parodying the designs of President Donald Trump.
Newsom announced the opening of “the patriot shop” on Sunday.
The offerings include an undershirt that says “Trump Is Not Hot,” $32 hats that say “Newsom Was Right About Everything!” and “Real Patriot,” and “Don’t Poke The Bear” stickers and yard signs. One of the hats was inspired by a design Trump wore on Friday, suggesting Newsom’s team is working fast.
Newsom redefines ‘MAGA’
Like Trump, Newsom is term-limited from running again. But that isn’t stopping him from selling “Newsom 2026″ mugs, taking a shot at Trump joking about running for a third term in the White House.
The “Union Printed and Made-In-USA” Bibles sold out a few hours after the launch. These $100 Bibles, signed by Newsom, revisit the “God Bless the USA Bible” Trump promoted last year.
Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy PAC is associated with the products.
“MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST MERCHANDISE EVER MADE,” Newsom wrote in a Sunday X post.
He also announced he will release his own “MAGA” flag — “Make America Gavin Again.”
All these tactics are in addition to Newsom mimicking Trump on X by writing posts like the president, as the Deseret News previously reported.
It started two weeks ago. In an effort to provoke the Trump White House amid gerrymandering efforts in Texas, Newsom’s press account posted this:
“DONALD TRUMP, IF YOU DO NOT STAND DOWN, WE WILL BE FORCED TO LEAD AN EFFORT TO REDRAW THE MAPS IN CA TO OFFSET THE RIGGING OF MAPS IN RED STATES. BUT IF THE OTHER STATES CALL OFF THEIR REDISTRICTING EFFORTS, WE WILL DO THE SAME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!”
The account, managed by a team of four or five people, per Politico, takes a meme-driven approach that stirs reactions from Democrats and Republicans alike, oftentimes writing in all caps and attaching artificially generated images to the post.
Newsom told reporters he is “just following” the president’s “example.”
“If you have issues with what I’m putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what he’s putting out as president.”
Many political commentators on the left appreciate Newsom’s newfound audacity.
Radio host Charlamagne Tha God, on his show “Breakfast Club,” said he’s “wanted a Democrat to do” what Newsom’s doing “for a long time.”
“He’s matching energy and I like it,” Charlamagne said.
Comedian Bill Maher also praised Newsom in a recent episode of his HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher.”
“I’ve never seen a Democrat do this, I think it’s very funny,” the comedian said, as USA Today reported.
Maher added, “I feel like Gavin has grasped the essential thing about American culture in this day and age. Don’t try to outsmart people. You have to out-stupid them.”
Newsom’s fight with Trump comes with risk
A more high-stakes battle is unfolding behind the scenes over the congressional maps in California and Texas. After Trump pushed Texas to redraw its maps, Newsom challenged the president by saying he would do the same in his state.
In hopes of using the redistricting for political gain, other states are following Newsom’s lead and considering changing their maps, too.
A win in November’s special election could cement Newsom’s place at the top of Democratic candidates who want to run for president in 2028, allowing him to fulfill his long-time speculated ambitions for the White House.
On the other hand, a loss could not only hurt his personal climbing, but it could affect the credibility Democrats have with their voters, as The Associated Press reported.
Trump has a similar plan to establish a Republican supermajority in Congress.
“Florida, Indiana, and others are looking to do the same,” he said, of redistricting, on Truth Social last week. “More seats equals less Crime, a great Economy and a STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT.”
But redistricting has other consequences for the American people.
As The New York Times reported, these efforts can “amplify the trend of one party gaining a stranglehold on state congressional delegations, intensifying the deep polarization that has helped to paralyze Congress in recent years.”