Gavin Newsom takes feud with Donald Trump to global stage at World Economic Forum

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: California Gov Gavin Newsom took his ongoing public feud with President Donald Trump to an international audience this week at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. During a Thursday, January 22, appearance, Newsom sharply criticized Trump’s leadership and conduct, calling the president’s actions “not normal.”

His comments followed a day after Trump referenced Newsom by name in his own speech at the forum. 

Gavin Newsom criticizes Trump's leadership at WEF

On the fourth day of the forum, Newsom, in a conversation with Semafor's Ben Smith, outlined his concerns about the Trump administration.

He accused the president of presiding over corruption “at a scale we’ve never seen before in American history” and of using federal institutions against perceived enemies, including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Newsom also alleged that Trump had personally profited from his presidency, reportedly earning nearly $1.5 billion. “I’m not naive about any of this,” Newsom said.

“I’m not naive about the corruption at a scale we’ve never seen before in American history. How in the hell are we putting up with this?” the governor asked.

Newsom framed his remarks as part of a broader critique of what he described as the normalization of conduct he viewed as unprecedented in US politics.

He argued that Trump “susses out weakness” and uses it to his advantage, adding that direct confrontation was necessary.

“But when you punch back, fight fire with fire, you display conviction and strength; it’s a different relationship,” Newsom said. “So my relationship at this moment is reflected in that.”

Newsom also highlighted California’s economic standing, noting that the state had the world’s fourth-largest economy.

He referenced California’s passage of 'Proposition 50', which allowed the state to adopt a new redistricting plan in response to Texas’s decision to redraw its congressional map. 

Newsom’s office later defended California’s stating: “MAGA learning California is not in fact a ‘(expletive) hole’ but the 4th largest economy in the world, more Fortune 500s than any other state, highest minimum wage, most small business starts…we could go on, and on.”

Trump mentions Gavin Newsom in speech and the governor responds

Trump referenced Newsom during his own address at the forum on Wednesday, January acknowledging the governor’s presence in the audience.

“I know Gavin was here. I used to get along so great with Gavin when I was president. Gavin’s a good guy. If he needed it, I would do it in a heartbeat,” Trump said. 

Newsom later shared a video clip from the speech on social media as a meme, suggesting Trump was “obsessed with” him. 

Around the same time Trump was speaking, Newsom’s office said that it was informed that a planned appearance by the governor at the USA House in Davos had been canceled.

Newsom’s camp alleged that the White House and State Department were involved in blocking the speech.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent disputed the claim, saying Newsom had been asked to speak on his policies but was no longer scheduled.

“I think it’s very, very ironic that Governor Newsom, who strikes me as Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken, may be the only Californian who knows less about economics than Kamala Harris,” Bessent said. 

Newsom responded by posting an image referencing the remark, captioned “YOU ARE WELCOME, AMERICA!!”