Stephen A. Smith Critiques Newsom’s Comments on Trump at WEF

This week, commentator Stephen A. Smith took aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom for making critical remarks about President Donald Trump while at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

During an episode of his podcast, “Straight Shooter,” Smith argued that while Newsom can express his views on Trump in the U.S., doing so on foreign soil changes the dynamics significantly. He said, “I have no problem with Gavin Newsom being honest about his feelings regarding the president here. But criticizing the U.S. president in front of international leaders? That’s another story.”

Smith played clips of Newsom making negative comments about Trump and raised questions about why the governor would choose to say such things in Switzerland. He believes it’s inappropriate for American officials to publicly oppose the president when speaking to foreign counterparts. “Here in the U.S., go ahead and speak your mind. But once you step outside, it’s America first,” he stated.

He also pointed out that his viewpoint might seem overly simplistic to some, but he insisted that sometimes simplicity is necessary. “I get you’re trying to get under Trump’s skin. Sure, maybe you’re eyeing a presidential run in 2028. But we have real issues here, don’t ignore them,” he added, mentioning California’s ongoing challenges, particularly around affordability and environmental policies.

Smith expressed frustration, saying, “I mean, affordability is a huge problem in California! And much of it has happened under Newsom’s watch.” Despite his harsh critique, he acknowledged that he finds Newsom likable on a personal level. He suggested that Newsom’s compassion might sometimes cloud his effectiveness as a leader.

Smith reiterated that attacking Trump on international platforms doesn’t help anyone. “You can voice your issues with Trump, but not on the world stage. It’s just not right,” he remarked, emphasizing that his own criticisms of Trump would never surface in an international forum.

He also chided Newsom for avoiding invitations to appear on his show, questioning what the governor has to hide. “If you’re aspiring to be a presidential candidate, engage with the public. You know your record better than anyone; you have a platform here whenever you’re ready,” he stated.

No immediate response from Newsom was available when requested for comments regarding Smith’s critiques.

Recently, Newsom accused foreign leaders at the WEF of failing to confront Trump directly, suggesting they should have prepared for such encounters. “It’s just absurd. We should have brought knee pads for all the world leaders,” he remarked, reflecting his frustration with their reactions to Trump.