Environment & Energy

News & Politics
How a Googly-Eyed Lump of Coal Became the Trump Administration’s Newest Mascot

"Coalie" is ready to help unleash "Beautiful, Clean Coal" on behalf of President Trump's Interior Department. Mine, baby, mine!

Written by Tristan Espinoza | Published on January 30, 2026


Image courtesy of OSMRE.

If you’re a true coal mining-head—or maybe just a fan of Jimmy Kimmel—then you already may have heard of “Coalie,” an anthropomorphic lump of coal who is the newest mascot for the primary bureau within the US Department of the Interior that regulates coal mining.

Ever since Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted a cartoon image of himself and Coalie on social media in late January—promising to unleash “Beautiful, Clean Coal” on behalf of President Trump—the googly-eyed, hard hat-wearing hunk of combustible carbon has become something of a flashpoint. Cute, for sure, but also criticized as a “lethal mascot for dirty energy,” a “cheerful mouthpiece for several dubious claims,” and a “middle finger, in a way” to people who care about the health of people working in and living near mines.

Link to tweet

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