Newsom Accuses Trump of Fundraising Off Dead Soldiers

California governor calls Trump's actions 'sick' and 'disgusting'

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:39pm

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California Governor Gavin Newsom's press office has accused President Donald Trump of fundraising off the backs of dead soldiers. This comes after an email was sent to Trump supporters offering a 'National Security Briefing Member' package that featured an image of Trump at the Dover Air Force Base, where he attended a ceremony honoring troops killed in the ongoing war with Iran.

Why it matters

The president's actions and attire during the Dover visit have already been widely criticized, and this latest fundraising email comes at a sensitive time in the U.S.-Iran conflict, which has resulted in civilian and military casualties, soaring oil prices, and heightened tensions in the Middle East.

The details

The email encouraged Trump supporters to claim their spot as a 'National Security Briefing Member' and featured a photo of the president from his recent visit to Dover Air Force Base, where he attended a ceremony honoring troops killed in the Iran war. Newsom's press office shared the email on social media, calling Trump 'a deeply SICK and DISGUSTING MAN!' for fundraising off the deaths of soldiers.

  • On Saturday, the remains of service members killed in the Iran war arrived back at the U.S., at a ceremony attended by Trump and the First Lady.
  • Days after the Dover ceremony, Trump was seen wearing the same 'USA' baseball cap while golfing.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California who accused Trump of fundraising off dead soldiers.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who was accused of fundraising off the deaths of soldiers killed in the Iran war.

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What they’re saying

“Trump is now offering 'national security briefings' to his millions of small dollar donors. Using a photo from his recent excursion to Dover, where he honored troops killed in his Iran war by wearing his white campaign baseball cap.”

— S.V. Dáte, Senior White House correspondent, Huffington Post

“Donald Trump is fundraising off of dead soldiers. He is a deeply SICK and DISGUSTING MAN!”

— Gavin Newsom's press office

“Trump missed his calling—as an undertaker. Thrives on death and killing.”

— @nativelah

“With Donald Trump he can always find a way to go lower. Making campaign money from the deaths of our soldiers—that is low.”

— @mountainviews

What’s next

It is widely considered likely that Newsom will run for president in 2028, but this has yet to be officially announced. Candidates usually make announcements after midterm election cycles.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between Trump and his critics, as well as the sensitivity around the president's actions and rhetoric during times of military conflict and loss of American lives.