'It's sick': Trump administration uses mascot called 'Coalie' to push dirtiest fossil fuel

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Tue 3 Feb 2026 11.36 EST
Last modified on Tue 3 Feb 2026 12.11 EST



Climate activists criticized the latest attempt by the administration to boost the image of the dirtiest fossil fuel. Illustration: Guardian Design / Getty Images

The Trump administration has turned to an unusual weapon in its attempt to resurrect coal mining – a cartoon lump of coal, complete with giant eyes and yellow mining garb, called “Coalie”.

The administration’s new mascot, kitted out with a helmet, boots and gloves, was introduced in a seemingly artificial intelligence-generated picture posted online by Doug Burgum, Donald Trump’s interior secretary. “Mine, Baby, Mine!” Burgum wrote on X, adding that Coalie will act as a “spokesperson” for Trump’s “American Energy Dominance Agenda”.

Climate activists criticized the latest attempt by the administration to boost the image of the dirtiest fossil fuel despite its impacts on the planet and public health, with one critic describing it as “one of the most heinous ways to produce energy that our world has ever seen.”

Coalie, whose large eyes and grin appears to invoke a Japanese style of cuteness used in toys and animated characters, is to be an ambassador for the office of surface mining reclamation and enforcement (OSMRE), the US government agency responsible for regulating coalmines.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/03/trump-administration-coalie-mascot-fossil-fuels

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[Vinca]

1. Looks like Coalie's black lung disease has taken over his body.

[twodogsbarking]

2. If you want to be in the coal business and wind up with a little money then start with a llot of money.

[chouchou]

3. Coalie?? Who in the hell came up with that crap? OH..Wait..I know ..Turdy or Stinky

[Grokenstein]

7. South Park (creators of Towelie) should have a blast with this one.

"You're the worst character ever, Towelie."
"The hell I am! Not anymore!"

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Surely Mr Hankey, the Christmas Poo?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Hankey,_the_Christmas_Poo

[Torchlight]

4. A sickly turd in a hard hat seems on-brand for this administration

I suppose he'll begin screaming about cancer-causing windmills again pretty soon, reinforced by an army of sub-literate (but credentialed) sealions.

[doc03]

5. When I was a kid back 60-70 years ago I remember everyone around here burned coal

for heat. The day after a snow it wasn't white, it was gray. The snow today has been on the ground for about 10
days and guess what it is as white as snow. In the old days after 10 days it would be nearly black. I really don't understand
people wanting their children and grandchildren growing up to be coal miners. Most everyone my age that worked in the coal mines
is either dead or disabled. I worked in a steel mill, it was bad but nothing like the coal mine.

[twodogsbarking]

6. The saying by coal country employees back in the 80s was

"If you are hungry and out of work, eat an environmentalist".

[eppur_se_muova]

8. And his toxic posse, the Jack Ashes. nt

[70sEraVet]

10. He can ride Joe the Camel to the hospital for lung transplants!

[Maninacan]

11. Doonesbury

Looks like a Gary Trudeau character!

[William Seger]

12. "appears to invoke a Japanese style of cuteness" but fails, miserably (nt)

[surrealAmerican]

13. "spokesperson"?

I look forward to what Rifftrax will make of that.

[IcyPeas]

14. Jimmy Kimmel had Coalie on his show [go to 13:00 in the video]

[BumRushDaShow]

15. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!