Newsom Faces Insults at World Economic Forum

California Governor Gavin Newsom appeared somewhat uneasy during an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as Semaphore’s Ben Smith read out various taunts directed at him.

Among the jabs was one from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who described Newsom as a mix of “Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken.” Newsom reacted to these constant online slurs, labeling them “extremely disrespectful” while emphasizing the need for his office to challenge what he termed Trump’s “irrationality.”

Smith relayed some of the harsh comments, asking, “Is that kind of speech from you or them good for America?” Newsom’s response was clear: “No, that’s very disrespectful. Well, of course it is. That’s not what we should do. But we have to point out the absurdity of it. We have to put a mirror up to this. This is madness.”

Later, Bessent pushed back against Newsom, particularly after the governor had brought knee pads to an event, suggesting it was to help world leaders “bend the knee” to Trump. He accused Newsom of lacking economic understanding and being self-absorbed.

Bessent claimed, “Governor Newsom, who was impressed by Patrick Bateman and Ken Sparkle Beach, may be the only Californian who doesn’t know as much about economics as Kamala Harris.” He also mentioned Newsom’s connection to Alex Soros, suggesting Davos was a fitting venue for someone criticized for their handling of the pandemic.

White House communications director Stephen Chan compared Newsom to a “hot-tempered child who can’t control his emotions,” suggesting that perhaps Newsom should take a step back. “Maybe we should send him to his room, but we all know that could cause more problems,” Chan added.

The incident has fueled speculation regarding Newsom’s potential run for president in 2028, particularly as he has ramped up his online critiques of Trump. In October, he expressed to CBS News that he was genuinely contemplating a presidential campaign.

Public sentiment regarding Newsom has been mixed, especially concerning his response to crime and homelessness in California. He has faced additional scrutiny following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County, which resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life.

Recent polls indicate a competitive landscape ahead, showing Newsom and Vice President J.D. Vance nearly even in a hypothetical match-up for 2028. Some recent data highlighted that both were tied at 44%, with Vance slightly ahead in subsequent polls.