Newsom Accuses Trump Administration of Sabotaging Davos Appearance

Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, has publicly attributed the cancellation of his planned appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to the actions of the Trump administration. On Wednesday, Newsom was denied entry to a scheduled “fireside chat” with a representative from the media outlet Fortune, resulting in the event being called off, according to a spokesperson for the governor.

Speaking during an interview with Semafor on Thursday, Newsom expressed his belief that the Trump administration played a direct role in preventing him from speaking at the forum. “They made sure it was canceled,” he stated to Ben Smith, Semafor’s editor in chief. He further questioned, “Is it surprising the Trump administration didn’t like my commentary and wanted to make sure that I was not allowed to speak?”

The incident marks a continuation of Newsom’s ongoing critique of President Trump. He characterized the administration’s behavior as reflective of “authoritarian tendencies.” A spokesperson from the White House did not provide a response regarding whether Newsom had indeed been barred from entering USA House, an American venue at the forum that has corporate sponsors and counts the U.S. government as an official partner.

During his time in Davos, Newsom did not shy away from voicing his opinions on international politics. He criticized European leaders for their perceived lack of opposition to Trump, suggesting that they required “kneepads” to effectively engage with the administration. The governor displayed a pair of kneepads during his address, emphasizing his claim that political, academic, and corporate institutions were succumbing to Trump’s influence.

“The last round of kneepads sold out, just as our law firms are selling out,” he remarked. “Many American universities are selling out, and yes, many corporate leaders are selling out to this administration.”

Newsom’s comments highlight a broader concern among some political figures regarding the impact of Trump’s presidency on global leadership dynamics. As a prominent Democratic figure, Newsom often positions himself in opposition to Trump, using events like the World Economic Forum to amplify his messages on governance and accountability.

The cancellation of his appearance not only underscores the contentious relationship between Newsom and the Trump administration but also raises questions about the challenges faced by political leaders at international forums. With the World Economic Forum serving as a critical platform for dialogue among global leaders, incidents like this may impact future interactions and discussions.