California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office has slammed President Trump, calling him “deeply SICK and DISGUSTING” after an email was sent to supporters that appeared to fundraise off images of fallen soldiers. The email, which offered recipients a chance to become a “National Security Briefing Member,” featured a photo of Trump from his recent visit to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where he honored troops killed in the ongoing Iran war.
This latest development comes at a truly sensitive moment in the U.S.-Iran conflict, which has already seen American military and civilian casualties, rising oil prices, and heightened tensions across the Middle East. The remains of service members killed in the conflict arrived back in the U.S. on Saturday, with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attending the solemn ceremony.
Trump had already faced criticism for his attire during the Dover Air Force Base appearance. He was seen wearing a white baseball cap with “USA” in gold lettering, part of his branded merchandise line. This drew even more flak when he was later spotted wearing the same hat while golfing just days after the ceremony. Now, per Newsweek, that outfit is in a blatant fundraising email.
These aren’t even big donors, and none of them should be getting national security briefings
S.V. Dáte, a senior White House correspondent, brought the fundraising email to public attention on X. Dáte shared a screenshot of the email, noting that Trump was “now offering ‘national security briefings’ to his millions of small dollar donors.” The email itself encouraged “supporters” to claim their spot as a “National Security Briefing Member,” with Trump’s image prominently displayed at the top.
Newsom’s press office quickly reacted to Dáte’s post, sharing it with their own scathing commentary. “Donald Trump is fundraising off of dead soldiers,” the post read, adding, “He is a deeply SICK and DISGUSTING MAN!”
Donald Trump is fundraising off of dead soldiers.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) March 13, 2026
He is a deeply SICK and DISGUSTING MAN! https://t.co/H274H5svRm
While the exact intention behind the email and Trump’s direct involvement in its creation aren’t clear, the backlash has been widespread. Social media users expressed a lot of shock and discontent online. For instance, one user, @leftcoastbabe said, “And he claims he will give “private” national security briefings to small donors. When he won’t even give them to Congress!!”
With Donald Trump he can always find a way to go lower.
— mountainviews (@mountainviews) March 13, 2026
Making campaign money from the deaths of our soldiers—- that is low.
@nickoftime26 said, “Epstein said Trump didn’t have a decent cell in his body. Who would grift off dead military men. Patriots don’t do this. MAGA lost. We must detest the cult. MAGA needs exorcism”
The #TrumpEffect pic.twitter.com/SFD7YgEEVF
— Ènd Thë Mádness(@BrianKirt) March 13, 2026
California and Newsom are currently locked in a fight with the Trump administration over oil drilling rights off the coast of California. By using emergency powers, Trump’s lackeys are trying to force the issue. However, Newsom promised to fight. As they gear up for that, this current attack seems to be just giving Newsom additional ammunition.
