California Governor Gavin Newsom used the World Economic Forum in Davos to openly criticize President Donald Trump, producing several viral moments that attracted both support and scorn. He compared Trump to a "T.rex," brandished novelty "kneepads," and said he was denied entry to USA House, blaming the White House. Clips and photos of his appearances generated millions of views and prompted sharp responses from Trump allies and commentators.
Newsom's Davos Detour: Five Viral Moments That Overshadowed the World Economic Forum
Newsom’s Davos detour: 5 cringe moments that overshadowed the high-profile summit
California Governor Gavin Newsom traveled to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum and used the international platform to publicly criticize President Donald Trump. His remarks, props and encounters produced several widely shared moments that drew praise from some and sharp criticism from many conservatives and Trump allies.
Gov. Gavin Newsom walked back his office's comments slamming ICE agents during a podcast interview.(Getty Images)
Key Moments at Davos
Kneepads Comment and Prop: Shortly after arriving, Newsom told reporters he "should have brought a bunch of kneepads for all the world leaders" who interact with President Trump, calling those leaders "pathetic" and urging them to "have a backbone." During a later session he produced a pair of novelty "Trump signature series kneepads," using the prop to dramatize his point about what he described as the absurdity of current diplomatic posture toward the president.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. President Donald Trump is also expected the high-profile economic meeting.
"This is diplomacy with Donald Trump. He's a T.rex. You mate with him, or he devours you, one or the other," Newsom said, warning that Europeans could be "devoured" if they continued on their current course.
Photo With Alex Soros: A photo of Newsom with donor Alex Soros circulated on social media. Soros praised Newsom’s calls for world leaders to resist what he called appeasement of Trump, while conservative commentators and some administration officials mocked the pairing and criticized Newsom’s policy and personal decisions.
California Governor Gavin Newsom listens to President Donald Trump address the World Economic Forum in the Davos Congress Center on Jan. 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.
Denied Entry To USA House: Newsom’s press office said the governor was denied entry to USA House — the U.S. pavilion at Davos where Fortune was hosting events — and blamed pressure from the White House and State Department. Newsom posted on X: "California was just denied at the USA House. Last we checked, California is part of USA." The White House disputed his account and criticized him for traveling abroad amid domestic concerns in California.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom holds a knee protector at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.
Reaction During Trump’s Davos Address: Newsom attended President Trump’s speech at the forum and was photographed and filmed on the sidelines; some images showed him appearing to smirk, which commentators on both sides highlighted. Trump mentioned Newsom by name during his address, praising certain efforts and suggesting continued support for California if needed.
Public Back-and-Forth: The exchanges produced rapid reactions from media figures and administration allies. Commentator Stephen A. Smith criticized Newsom for openly attacking the president on foreign soil, arguing such disputes should be kept domestic. Treasury official Scott Bessent and White House spokespersons issued mocking remarks that circulated widely online.
Context And Aftermath
Video clips and photos of Newsom’s remarks and appearances amassed millions of views on social platforms, fueling debate over whether his Davos appearances were substantive interventions or political stunts aimed at a national audience. Newsom framed his actions as raising alarm about the administration's approach, while critics said he was grandstanding abroad instead of focusing on state issues. Fox News Digital contacted Newsom’s office for comment and did not immediately receive a reply; Alec Schemmel of Fox News Digital contributed to the original reporting.
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