The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that his scheduled appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos was canceled due to pressure from the Trump administration. Newsom was set to participate in a discussion with Fortune at USA House, the official U.S. headquarters at the annual gathering of global leaders. However, just before the event, USA House reportedly succumbed to political pressure and denied the governor entry.
“Under pressure from the White House and State Department, USA House (a church acting as the official US pavilion) is now denying entry to @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom to speak with media after Fortune – the official media partner – invited him to speak,” stated Newsom’s office in a social media post. Newsom himself added, “How weak and pathetic do you have to be to be this scared of a fireside chat?”
Political Tensions at Davos
According to Newsom’s office, the invitation from Fortune was extended last week for a “fireside chat” that was to follow President Trump’s address. Newsom accepted the invitation on Monday, but shortly before the event, an official from USA House informed his team that the event was canceled, citing that an elected official speaking did not align with their programming for the afternoon. USA House has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Fortune released a statement confirming the invitation to Newsom and noted that USA House later decided it could not accommodate the governor’s participation. The magazine explained, “Although we program all editorial conversations independently, programming at such events can be affected by logistical, security, and other access considerations that involve multiple stakeholders and evolve over time.”
Newsom’s Critique of Trump and European Allies
During his three-day visit to the Swiss Alps, Newsom has been vocal in his criticism of the Trump administration and European leaders, whom he accuses of failing to stand up to the U.S. president. “I can’t take this complicity of people rolling over,” Newsom told reporters in Davos. “I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders. I mean handing out crowns, the Nobel prizes that are being given away. It’s just pathetic.”
He further remarked, “There’s no diplomacy with Donald Trump: he’s a T rex. You mate with him or he devours you.” Newsom was present for Trump’s speech, where the president addressed global leaders with a mix of invective and policy declarations, including an unexpected comment about “seeking immediate negotiations” to acquire Greenland.
Reactions and Implications
In his remarks, Trump acknowledged Newsom’s presence, saying, “I know Gavin was here. I used to get along so great with Gavin when I was president. Gavin is a good guy.” The camera captured Newsom smiling in response. Later, Newsom tweeted, “Good seats. Bad speech,” alongside a photo of himself seated behind top administration officials.
Newsom had intended to use the Davos platform to position California as a counterbalance to Trump’s policies, according to Politico. However, the cancellation of his appearance has sparked further controversy. A White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, criticized Newsom, referring to him with Trump’s derogatory nickname “Newscum” and questioning his priorities.
“No one in Davos knows who third-rate governor Newscum is or why he is frolicking around Switzerland instead of fixing the many problems he created in California,” Kelly stated.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent labeled Newsom as “smug, self-absorbed,” and hinted that Newsom was asked to speak on his policies but was not scheduled to do so.
Looking Forward
The incident at Davos highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders like Newsom, who is considered a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race. Newsom’s criticism of Trump and his administration’s policies continues to raise his national profile, even as it draws ire from Trump’s allies.
As the political landscape evolves, the implications of such high-profile disputes will likely influence future interactions between state and federal leaders, particularly in international settings like Davos. The focus now turns to how Newsom will leverage this incident to further his political goals and how the Trump administration will continue to respond to dissenting voices within the U.S.
