Newsom’s Davos Stunt Falls Flat

This week, Governor Gavin Newsom took a flight to Davos, Switzerland, aiming to confront President Trump at the 2026 World Economic Forum but ended up missing the mark spectacularly.

His approach showcases a brash, almost theatrical style—mixed with a sense of moral superiority, which feels somewhat misplaced as his own state grapples with significant issues.

It raises a question: is he really set on becoming president?

Rather than celebrating improvements in the nation, Newsom seems more intent on critiquing America while engaging in a rather dramatic performance.

At the Davos forum, he criticized Trump, claiming the president was “upsetting” crucial policies on national security, immigration, and trade. He used pointed sexual innuendos and called on global leaders to “straighten up,” implicating Trump in actions he described as authoritarian.

He dismissed Trump’s address—which highlighted a year of economic improvement, strides against crime, and border security—as “boring” and of little importance, comparing the president to a “Tyrannosaurus” that leaders could either “mate” with or “devour.”

When speaking to the press, he deemed any form of diplomacy with Trump as “stupidity,” suggesting that leaders were simply being outmaneuvered.

His perspective, however, was challenged. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent rebuked him sharply, referring to Newsom with an unflattering comparison and questioning his financial understanding.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Newsom shared his Davos experience with billionaire Alex Soros, who praised Newsom as a “true star” of the event.

In contrast, while Newsom tends to disrupt, notable figures like Trump and Bessent were focusing on repairing the damage caused by prior administrations’ policies.

This isn’t Newsom’s first striking appearance at the World Economic Forum; he’s attended numerous times since his days as mayor of San Francisco and earned the label “Davos Democrat” for seemingly prioritizing elite networking over pressing domestic matters.

Thanks to his established connections, Newsom has spent years shaping his public persona. Some in left-wing media portray his harsh criticisms of Trump as heroic rather than divisive, overlooking the inherent contradiction of a governor lamenting chaos while presiding over turmoil in California.

Newsom once mistakenly claimed that California was akin to a sovereign nation, which reflects a misunderstanding of the state’s constitutional alignment with federal authority.

Governors cannot engage in outside foreign policy, yet Newsom’s actions at Davos gave the impression he was promoting California as a counterpoint to Trump’s America.

This bold maneuver doesn’t change the underlying truth: Newsom is more focused on acts of destruction than on constructive solutions.

Then there was the matter of Greenland. Newsom had a meltdown over it, overlooking the historical context that sees the U.S. returning the territory to Denmark after World War II.

Many now view Greenland as vulnerable, with concerns about it falling into the hands of adversaries. Indeed, Trump recognized the strategic importance of Greenland and indicated a desire to acquire the territory through negotiation.

As of Wednesday, discussions were in progress for such an agreement, and the markets experienced a significant uptick.

Trump emerged victorious once more, while Newsom’s narrative against him and his critique of world leaders began to falter.

The governor has dismissed criticisms as “California Derangement Syndrome,” yet the evidence seems clear. He comes off as a loud critic on a global stage—an opportunist drawing attention while his state endures the repercussions of his choices.

Richie Greenberg, a political commentator based in San Francisco, reflects on the heavy toll of Newsom’s relentless criticism.