California Gov. Gavin Newsom promoted his crude, anti-Trump campaign merchandise store Tuesday during a New York City book event, which required even virtual attendees to buy his memoir for entry.
“Forgive me, because I know our time is limited, but, you know, I started a patriot’s store,” Newsom said near the end of the event at the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Cultural Center.
“I have new Trump Signature Series kneepads now,” the Democratic governor said of the red, $100 joint cushions he’s been hawking online.
The kneepads, which bear an autograph resembling President Trump’s unmistakable signature, purportedly “sold out” the last time he had them in stock, according to Newsom, “just like our universities are selling out, just like our law firms are selling out, just like corporations are selling out and the media is selling out this country.”
Newsom noted that he brought a pair of kneepads with him to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which he said didn’t go over well with attendees.
“I don’t think I’m going to be invited back,” he said.
In the same breath, Newsom argued that the country is facing a “serious moment.”
“It’s a moral moment,” he declared.
Proceeds from the sale of the bizarre goods on Newsom’s website go to fund his Campaign for Democracy committee — which is boosting his profile ahead of a widely expected run for president in 2028.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Newsom are the top two Democratic contenders in a hypothetical nationwide primary, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average, with the ex-veep getting 28.3% support and the term-limited governor receiving 20.7% backing.
Newsom was also pushing his new memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” at Tuesday’s event, which was moderated by Democratic Gen-Z influencer Harry Sisson.
“This is not one of those political books that I wrote just to, you know, try to get it ahead of some cycle … legitimately,” Newsom argued.
The governor claimed, “I’m on the other side now … in that second phase of my life.”