Overview
- Gov. Gavin Newsom used Davos appearances to denounce President Donald Trump and waved red “kneepads” to accuse corporate and global leaders of deference.
- Newsom’s scheduled fireside chat at the USA House pavilion was canceled, which his office attributed to pressure from the White House and State Department.
- Trump later blasted Newsom in a lengthy Truth Social post, calling him a “lame duck,” and Newsom’s press office replied with the two-word taunt, “Rent free.”
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly mocked Newsom in multiple interviews, questioning his competence and deriding the kneepads stunt.
- Despite the public crossfire, reporting by Mark Halperin says Trump and Newsom shared friendly backstage banter in Davos before the president’s speech.