California Governor Gavin Newsom recently traveled to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, using the opportunity to critique the Trump administration. This decision quickly led to a wave of online chatter and mockery. While Trump and his officials engaged with international leaders in Davos, Trump himself seemed to be applying pressure on European leaders regarding the potential acquisition of Greenland.
Newsom aimed to challenge his long-time rival, Trump, as the latter dominated news headlines. Supporters of Trump criticized Newsom’s remarks, while Fox News Digital explored some of the governor’s moments on social media that went viral.
Newsom’s Comments at Davos
Upon arriving in Switzerland, Newsom commented to reporters that “world leaders should have brought knee pads” for their interactions with Trump, describing them as “pathetic” and urging them to find their backbone against the White House.
He made a somewhat provocative analogy, comparing Trump to a Tyrannosaurus rex looking to either mate or devour. “This is diplomacy with Donald Trump,” he said. “If the Europeans keep this up, they could end up getting devoured. They need to stand firm and united.”
His remarks gained traction on social media, as many supporters of Trump expressed confusion and criticism, labeling his comments as bizarre. Commentator Stephen A. Smith took Newsom to task for attacking Trump while on foreign soil, suggesting that political discourse should elevate beyond domestic squabbles.
Backlash from Conservatives
Newsom faced backlash online after a photo surfaced of him with left-leaning billionaire donor Alex Soros, who praised Newsom’s criticisms of the president. This drew condemnation from Trump supporters and officials, who ridiculed the meeting. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent likened Newsom’s demeanor to that of a character from a film, while other comments mocked his friendship with Soros.
Claims of Blocked Speech at Davos
Newsom later claimed that he was prevented from speaking at the official U.S. pavilion during the event, attributing the decision to pressure from the White House. He expressed frustration, noting that California was part of the U.S. and should be represented. In response, the White House criticized Newsom for focusing on international events instead of addressing issues back home.
Reactions to Trump’s Speech
On another note, Newsom made headlines while attending a speech by Trump where he was seen smiling, despite the president mentioning him directly and focusing on his own successes and intentions regarding Greenland. Trump mentioned he would be willing to help California if needed, and the two seemed to have a complicated relationship.
Humorous Takes on Politics
Newsom later brought attention to a pair of kneepads he dubbed “Trump Signature Series Kneepads” during a forum discussion, commenting on the absurdity of needing such a prop when dealing with Trump. He claimed that the Trump administration’s personal attacks on him indicated they were preoccupied with his actions, suggesting they are affected by him.
Fox News Digital made attempts to reach out to Newsom’s office for comments regarding their inquiries but did not receive an immediate response.
