Newsom’s new attack page ties Trump to controversial crypto figures — and the political stakes reach beyond Silicon Valley

A direct jab with national reach

California Governor Gavin Newsom quietly posted a page on his official site that points to Donald Trump’s ties to a string of controversial figures — including personalities from the crypto world. The page highlights people already known to law enforcement or courts, and it homed in on names that carry heavy baggage in public debate: Changpeng “CZ” Zhao and Ross Ulbricht among them.

The tone is unmistakably political. The page frames these links as part of a wider critique of Trump’s circle, and it clearly aims past California voters to a national audience. Given how early the 2028 conversations are starting, the move reads as both a policy dig and a warning shot about who might surround future leaders.

Why Newsom chose this moment — a mix of strategy and spectacle

This isn’t just a random internet post. Newsom is a high-profile Democrat with national ambitions, and naming names on a state government website is a way to raise his national profile without launching a formal campaign. The timing matters: with the 2028 calendar already stirring, this kind of direct, personal attack sets a tone and forces responses that can live in headlines for days.

Politically, the move checks several boxes. It allows Newsom to portray himself as tough on corruption and shady deals, it ties Trump to people whose legal and ethical problems are easy to explain to ordinary voters, and it forces opponents to defend or disown associations. In short, it’s political theatre that doubles as message discipline — and it’s built to be replayed in future ads and debates.

Who Newsom named and why they matter

Ross Ulbricht is one of the clearer examples. Ulbricht was convicted years ago for operating Silk Road, the online marketplace that became a poster child for illicit use of cryptocurrency. His case has long been a touchpoint in debates about online markets, law enforcement and the limits of digital liberty.

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao is a far more recent, complicated figure. Once celebrated as a leading crypto entrepreneur, CZ later faced major legal and regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries. Media coverage and court filings in recent years have tied him to serious allegations around money flows and business practices. Whether you see him as a scapegoat, a fallen mogul, or someone who simply pushed against weak rules, his name now triggers questions about where big crypto money goes and who it buys access to.

Newsom’s page also nods to other convicted or accused individuals outside crypto. The effect is to draw a broader picture: a pattern of political ties to people with messy legal records. For a general audience, this shorthand is effective. It connects complicated court cases to a simple political argument about judgment and influence.

What this could mean for the crypto industry and policy talk

For the crypto industry the immediate impact is reputational. Public links between major politicians and figures with legal trouble feed the narrative that crypto is a risky, poorly regulated space where bad actors can thrive. That makes it easier for both lawmakers and the public to back tighter rules.

At a policy level, the timing could sharpen enforcement and legislative interest. If the discussion shifts from abstract questions about technology to stories of convicted or charged people influencing leaders, lawmakers from both parties may feel pressure to act. That could mean more oversight, stricter licensing rules, or renewed focus from agencies already scrutinizing crypto businesses.

On the other hand, some in the industry will argue this is political grandstanding that ignores the legitimate innovation that blockchain and crypto can deliver. Expect industry groups to push back with messaging about consumer safeguards and the economic promise of the technology — even as regulators use the spotlight to press for clearer rules.

Reactions so far and what to watch next

At the time of publication, there were the predictable lines: Trump allies calling the move a smear, while Democratic operatives praised the bluntness. The individuals named or their representatives may issue denials, clarifications, or legal pushback if they feel the page crosses a line.

For the wider public and for markets tied to the crypto sector, the key things to watch are simple. First, whether the Trump camp responds with its own list of allies or a broader counterattack. Second, whether lawmakers bring fresh hearings or bills that use the spotlight to push new rules. And third, whether the story reshapes how voters view crypto-linked money in politics as primaries approach.

Politics is theater and policy. Newsom’s page is both: a pointed political strike that also reframes how we talk about crypto’s place in public life. That dual effect is what makes a short state web post feel suddenly national in reach.

Sources

• gov.ca.gov
• coindesk.com
• coindesk.com
• coindesk.com
• indices.coindesk.com
• coindesk.com