In his latest jab against President Donald Trump, California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking a page from Trump’s playbook by selling merchandise, including $100 (£79) Bibles that have already sold out.
“THE PATRIOT SHOP IS NOW OPEN!!!!” the Democratic governor announced on Sunday in a social media post using Trump’s signature capitalised style. “MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST MERCHANDISE EVER MADE. PLEASE ENJOY, AMERICA!”
As The Independent reports, Newsom’s website features a £79 “Holy Bible” signed by “America’s Favourite Governor!”
Newsom isn’t the only politician who has sold the Holy Bible. President Trump also marketed “God Bless the USA” Bibles for about $60 (£47) each, which included the chorus to Lee Greenwood’s song, the text of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I’m just following [Trump’s] example,” Newsom told reporters when asked about his posting antics on social media. “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.”
Also available on the Patriot Shop, which Newsom is calling the “Campaign for Democracy,” are a “Trump is not hot” tank top, MAGA-red coloured caps that read “Newsom Was Right About Everything!” and “Real Patriot.” There are stickers and yard signs that read “Don’t Poke The Bear” with California’s state symbol of a bear, a Newsom 2026 coffee mug, and a “chosen one” T-shirt with Newsom depicted alongside an angel.
According to The Independent, Newsom said on X that the merchandise shop made $50,000 (£39,000) in purchases within the first three hours.
The merchandise store is the latest antic in the long-running feud between Newsom and Trump. Trump recently said he plans to request that the Department of Justice look into the state’s redistricting legislation that allows residents to vote on a proposed new map this November.
Newsom recently signed legislation calling for new congressional maps in California that could help Democrats gain five additional seats in Congress, in response to the Trump-led effort to redraw the congressional maps in Texas that could add five additional Republican seats.