California Governor Gavin Newsom launched his biggest political troll yet over the weekend. He created a fake merchandise store called “The Patriot Shop” that directly copies President Donald Trump‘s signature MAGA brand. The timing couldn’t be better for Newsom as he eyes a potential 2028 presidential run.
The shop features a red MAGA-style cap that reads “Newsom was right about everything!” as well as a tank top reading, “Trump is not hot” and a “Newsom 2026” mug. These products perfectly mirror the kind of merchandise Trump has been selling for years. The California governor even included fake $100 signed Bibles in his shop, poking fun at Trump’s own Bible sales.
“THE PATRIOT SHOP IS NOW OPEN!!!!” Newsom declared on Sunday via X. “MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST MERCHANDISE EVER MADE”. His post was written in the same all-caps style that Trump frequently uses on social media. The message came complete with American flag emojis to complete the parody.
Newsom’s merchandise sells faster than Trump’s products
As of Sunday evening, Newsom said on the social media platform X that the shop had sold over $100,000 worth of merchandise, including the complete sellout of his $100 signed bibles by Sunday afternoon. The California governor posted regular updates about his sales numbers throughout the day. He later bragged about reaching the six-figure mark in just hours.
The merchandise includes several direct references to Trump’s brand. Some of the merchandise, displayed on a site that features branding for Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy PAC, is an obvious satire of Trump’s products. One hat reads “Real Patriot” in the same style as Trump’s red caps. Another item shows “Newsom 2026” on coffee mugs.
The boldest piece is a blue flag that replaces “Great” with “Gavin,” transforming MAGA into “Make America Gavin Again”. Newsom teased this flag on social media with the message: “SOON ‘MAGA’ WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING! COMING SOON FOR YOUR NEXT BOAT PARADE! YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, PATRIOTS!”
This trolling strategy appears to be working for Newsom beyond just merchandise sales. CNN data shows that daily Google searches for the governor are up 1,300% since June 1 and up 500% since August 1. His social media following has also grown significantly during this period. The attention comes as Donald Trump faces challenges maintaining his base while dealing with various controversies.
The Patriot Shop represents more than just a one-time joke. Newsom and his team have made trolling Trump a deliberate part of their communications strategy, turning the president’s often brash style against him. His social media pages now regularly feature all-caps messages signed with “GCN” instead of Trump’s signature “DJT.” The strategy marks a clear shift for Democratic politicians who usually avoid copying Trump’s communication style.
The merchandise stunt highlights how political fundraising has evolved in the social media age. While Trump’s economic policies face growing criticism, Newsom has found a way to raise money while also generating massive media attention. His fake Bible sales particularly struck a nerve, as Trump previously faced mockery for selling “God Bless the USA” bibles for $60 each.
The California governor’s trolling campaign shows no signs of slowing down as he positions himself for a 2028 presidential campaign. By successfully copying and satirizing Trump’s most recognizable branding elements, Newsom has managed to dominate news cycles while building his own political brand. Whether this strategy will translate into actual political success remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear that Newsom has mastered the art of political theater in the digital age.
Published: Aug 25, 2025 01:32 pm