Gavin Newsom, the Democratic Governor of California and a vocal critic of Donald Trump, embarked on a high-profile trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2026, aiming to challenge the president’s influence on the global stage. Upon arrival, Newsom lambasted international leaders for what he perceived as capitulating to Trump’s agenda, accusing them of “rolling over” and even distributing satirical “Trump knee pads” as a prop to mock those bending the knee to the administration. He positioned California as a counterpoint to Trump’s policies, highlighting issues like climate change and economic inequality, while directly calling out the president’s actions as authoritarian and corrupt during his appearances. However, the trip quickly turned contentious as Newsom witnessed firsthand the deference shown to Trump, who delivered a major speech at the forum, drawing widespread attention and praise from attendees.

The tensions escalated when Newsom faced direct pushback from Trump and his team. During his Davos address, Trump publicly referenced Newsom, criticizing California’s governance on issues like crime and sanctuary cities, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered a scathing rebuke, highlighting Newsom’s economic record and mocking his association with billionaire Alex Soros. A viral photo of Newsom posing with Soros, son of philanthropist George Soros, fueled further criticism, with detractors labeling it as evidence of Newsom cozying up to elite donors—prompting snide remarks about what Newsom might have “had to do” to secure such alliances. Adding insult to injury, Newsom’s scheduled interview at the official U.S. venue, USA House, was abruptly canceled, which he attributed to pressure from the White House and State Department, framing it as an authoritarian move to silence dissent.

As Newsom prepared to fly home empty-handed, the final blow came with reports of Trump’s aggressive push to acquire Greenland, a longstanding fixation of the president. In his Davos speech, Trump ruled out military force but reiterated his demand for negotiations with Denmark to bring the Arctic territory under U.S. control, citing national security and historical precedents. This development, coupled with new tariffs threatened against European nations opposing the deal, underscored Trump’s dominance at the forum, leaving Newsom’s criticisms overshadowed and his trip a symbol of Democratic frustration in the face of Trump’s unyielding international posture.

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