After being blocked from a Wednesday appearance, Newsom finally addresses the forum on Thursday, scolding European leaders and taking aim at Trump-era policies in a fiery Davos speech
California was just denied at the USA House. Last we checked, California is part of USA,” Newsom wrote on X
Imagine being the governor of California, traveling to a conference in Switzerland for a scheduled appearance—only to find out it’s been canceled while you’re already on location. That is exactly what happened to Gavin Newsom on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, when he was blocked from speaking at the USA House pavilion. “California was just denied at the USA House. Last we checked, California is part of USA,” Newsom wrote on X, as his office confirmed that pressure from the White House and the State Department led to the cancellation of his fireside chat with Fortune magazine. He was finally allowed to speak on Thursday at the official forum with Semafor, turning the disruption into a high-profile political moment.
Newsom didn’t hold back. “How weak and pathetic do you have to be to be this scared of a fireside chat?” he wrote online, accusing the organizers of bowing to outside pressure. But his fury didn’t stop there—he also scolded European leaders who had criticized him for speaking out against Trump. “If you’re going to lecture me, at least have the courage to stand up to the very pressures you claim to fear. Bowing down isn’t leadership—it’s cowardice.”
On Thursday, during his official appearance, Newsom delivered remarks blending California policy achievements with pointed critiques of Trump-era politics. He told attendees:
How the hell are we putting up with this? We need leaders—both here in Europe and back home in the U.S.—who aren’t afraid to stand up for democracy, the climate, and our shared future. – Governor Newsom
The Davos meeting, held annually in the Alpine town of Davos-Klosters, Switzerland at the Davos Congress Centre, brings together global leaders from government, business, and civil society to discuss pressing issues like economic disparity, climate change, and technology. The event draws heads of state, corporate executives, nonprofit leaders, and government officials from around the world.
President Donald J. Trump speaks with reporters following his press conference at the 50th Annual World Economic Forum meeting Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, at the Davos Congress Centre in Davos, Switzerland. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
Trump’s comments about Greenland are reckless and destabilizing. – Governor Newsom said
Newsom used his speech to position California as a counterweight to Trump’s climate and economic policies, highlighting milestones such as 2.5 million zero-emission vehicle purchases. He also renewed his calls for European leaders to take a firmer stand against Trump, whose recent remarks about annexing Greenland he labeled “reckless and destabilizing.”
The White House responded sharply. Spokesperson Anna Kelly dismissed Newsom as a “third-rate governor” and added, “No one in Davos knows who he is, frolicking around Switzerland instead of fixing the many problems he created in California.”
No one in Davos knows who he is, frolicking around Switzerland instead of fixing the many problems he created in California. – US Spokesperson Anna Kelly
The incident adds another chapter to Newsom’s ongoing feud with Trump, which has included clashes over National Guard deployments, wildfire recovery aid, and immigration enforcement.
Key Details:
- Location: Davos-Klosters, Switzerland
- Event: Annual meeting of the World Economic Forum
- Purpose: Bringing together global leaders to discuss shaping global agendas
- Attendees: Heads of state, corporate executives, nonprofit leaders, and government officials
Feature image By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America – Gavin Newsom, CC BY-SA 2.0
Discover more from SW Newsmagazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
