The annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, became an unexpected battleground as California Governor Gavin Newsom arrived, seemingly intent on directly challenging the Trump administration’s presence on the global stage.
Newsom wasted no time, delivering a scathing assessment of world leaders’ interactions with former President Trump, suggesting they displayed a disturbing lack of fortitude. He famously quipped he “should have brought a bunch of kneepads” for those engaging with Trump, labeling their deference as “pathetic.”
His rhetoric escalated, drawing a striking analogy: Trump, he declared, was a “T.rex,” capable of either nurturing alliances or utterly destroying them. Newsom warned European nations they risked being “devoured” if they continued to appease the former president’s demands, particularly regarding a potential U.S. acquisition of Greenland.
These remarks ignited a firestorm online, quickly amassing millions of views and drawing sharp criticism from Trump supporters who deemed Newsom’s actions a political stunt. Commentators questioned the appropriateness of attacking a U.S. president while on foreign soil, arguing for a unified front.
The controversy deepened with a photograph posted by Alex Soros, a prominent left-wing donor, showing him alongside Newsom in Davos. The caption praised Newsom for “calling out world leaders” and urged them to resist Trump’s influence, further fueling the backlash.
Trump officials responded with pointed attacks, with one describing Newsom as a blend of fictional characters, a pointed jab at his perceived persona. Others highlighted Newsom’s own domestic challenges, contrasting his European trip with issues back home in California.
Adding another layer to the drama, Newsom claimed he was barred from speaking at an event within “USA House,” the official U.S. pavilion, alleging White House interference. His office asserted the denial of access came “under pressure” from the State Department.
The White House countered by questioning Newsom’s priorities, suggesting he should focus on resolving California’s problems rather than “frolicking around Switzerland.” This exchange underscored the growing tension between the two political figures and their respective teams.
A particularly viral moment occurred during Trump’s own address to the forum. Newsom was visibly captured on camera smirking, a gesture that quickly circulated and amplified the perception of a deliberate attempt to undermine the former president.
In a theatrical display, Newsom even produced a pair of “Trump signature series kneepads” during a panel discussion, a symbolic gesture meant to highlight what he saw as the absurdity of the situation. He argued the prop was necessary to “point out the absurdity” of the political climate.
Newsom maintained that the Trump administration’s increasingly personal attacks – like the “Patrick Bateman” comparison – were proof he was “living rent-free in their head,” suggesting his policy agenda was a genuine threat to their political objectives.
The entire episode unfolded as a captivating spectacle, transforming the typically policy-focused World Economic Forum into a stage for a highly public and increasingly personal political feud.
