Newsom Blasts White House as ‘Pathetic’ for Axing His Davos Appearance

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the long-standing rivalry between President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom reached a fever pitch at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Newsom’s office accused the White House and State Department of a "weak and pathetic" move to silence the governor by blocking his scheduled appearance at the official U.S. pavilion.

The "USA House" Snub
Newsom was slated to participate in a high-profile "fireside chat" with Fortune magazine at USA House, a privately run venue serving as the U.S. headquarters at the summit. However, just hours before the event, the governor was denied entry.

The "Programming" Excuse: USA House officials reportedly told Newsom’s team that having an "elected official" speak did not align with their "afternoon programming."

Insulting Alternative: Instead of the media event, Newsom was offered a private "nightcap reception" without press, an offer his office dismissed as "insulting."

Evidence of Pressure: Newsom’s team provided screenshots of communications suggesting the cancellation was a direct result of pressure from the Trump administration and the State Department.

Trump’s Double Appearance
While Newsom was barred from the U.S. pavilion, President Trump dominated the Davos stage with two major events:

Wednesday’s Special Address: Trump delivered a wide-ranging speech where he revisited his desire for Greenland and pointed out Newsom in the audience, calling him a "good guy" but suggesting he needed the President's help to fix California.

Thursday’s "Board of Peace" Launch: On January 22, Trump returned to the stage to formally sign the charter for his "Board of Peace." He billed the new organization as the "most prestigious board ever formed," intended to resolve global conflicts and potentially replace functions of the United Nations.

The "Red Knee Pads" Retort
Newsom responded to the snub and Trump's speeches during a separate event with Semafor on Thursday morning:

The Prop: Waving a pair of red knee pads at the audience, Newsom accused global CEOs and political leaders of being "complicit" and "rolling over" for Trump's demands.

The "T-Rex" Metaphor: He repeated his characterization of the President as a "T-Rex," telling reporters, "You mate with him or he devours you."

The "Newscum" Reaction: White House spokesperson Anna Kelly fired back, calling the governor a "third-rate" official and referring to him as "Newscum," questioning why he was "frolicking around Switzerland" instead of addressing homelessness in California.

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