California’s Governor Gavin Newsom found himself in a heated exchange with the Trump administration at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. It all started when Newsom criticized global leaders for being overly accommodating to President Donald Trump. Yet, he faced backlash for appearing too friendly with Alex Soros, son of billionaire philanthropist George Soros, during the event.
Newsom, who attended the conference, claimed that foreign leaders “backed down” when he stood up to Trump. But this statement led to criticism, as many took note of his interaction with Alexander Soros. The Treasury Department’s Secretary Scott Bessent remarked during a press conference, “It’s curious how Newsom seems to be the only Californian with less economic insight than Kamala Harris. While dining at high-end restaurants during lockdowns, he’s now seen with Alex Soros, a true billionaire sugar daddy.” He added, “Californians will remember this.”
Newsom also mentioned how “people are losing it” over Trump, humorously suggesting that world leaders should have brought “knee pads” to the meeting. Meanwhile, a photo shared by Soros showing him with Newsom quickly became a talking point. Critics pointed out this contradiction, highlighting how Newsom rebuked those who submit to the Trump administration while appearing to buddy up to Soros himself.
Soros referred to Newsom as “the true star of the 2026 World Economic Forum,” which likely didn’t help the optics for the governor amidst such scrutiny.
In response to Newsom’s critiques, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) shared an AI-altered version of the same image, humorously depicting Newsom in a NASCAR outfit plastered with sponsors like “Soros” and “CCP.” Cruz’s caption read, “I fixed it for you.”
White House Press Secretary Taylor Rogers remarked on Newsom’s perceived antics, quipping that Newsom’s pursuit of Soros’ approval is futile, saying, “No amount of money could fulfill his presidential aspirations.” Podcaster Tim Miller chimed in, suggesting someone should intervene with Soros’ Instagram account, referencing the public displays of their friendship.
Adding to the critique, Lt. Col. Tony Shafer, a retired military intelligence officer, commented on Newsom’s apparent affiliations, suggesting that they reveal his true allegiances. In a more humorous take, California Post Opinion Editor Joel Pollack joked about Newsom finding a billionaire to tax, while adviser Nathan Brand remarked about Newsom’s resemblance to a “Bond villain.”
Recently, Newsom even accused the Trump administration of disrupting his speech at the House of Representatives in Davos. However, when the White House was approached for a comment, they neither confirmed nor denied his allegations. Press Secretary Anna Kelly downplayed Newsom’s significance, stating that “no one in Davos knows who this third-rate governor is.”
Besides these public moments, Soros has contributed around $70,000 to Newsom’s political endeavours and has previously expressed admiration for him on social media.
In an earlier post, Soros had referred to Newsom as “a fearless force” against the Trump administration, alongside a photo they took at a Clinton Global Initiative event. Their camaraderie seems to have roots going back as far as 2019, when Soros praised Newsom’s environmental efforts.
Newsom’s office did not respond when Fox News Digital reached out for comments on the matter.
