Nobody is listening to Newsom’s hateful rhetoric anymore.
California Governor Gavin Newsom once again tried to insert himself into the national spotlight this week — and once again, the result was more spectacle than substance.
Appearing Thursday in Davos during the annual World Economic Forum, Newsom reignited his ongoing feud with Donald Trump by cracking a crude joke aimed at the White House. The remark drew brief laughter from the audience before Newsom conceded that the escalating rhetoric has become, in his own words, “deeply unbecoming.”
The episode unfolded during a panel discussion moderated by journalist Ben Smith, where Newsom attempted to portray his comments as part of a deliberate political strategy. According to the California governor, the insults were meant to highlight what he described as the “absurdity” of Trump and his administration.
“It’s not what we should be doing,” Newsom acknowledged. “But sometimes you have to point it out.”
Rather than focusing on policy or economic outcomes, Newsom centered his remarks on personal attacks exchanged between himself and senior Trump administration officials. He referenced a recent jab from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as evidence, claiming the White House has become overly focused on him.
Newsom went on to suggest that the attention proves he has unsettled the administration, quipping that he is “living rent-free” in their heads — a familiar talking point often used by progressive politicians seeking media traction.
Despite the theatrics, Newsom admitted that President Trump’s political instincts remain formidable. He described Trump’s ability to detect weakness as a major advantage, arguing that modern politics rewards confrontation and aggressive messaging.
“You fight fire with fire,” Newsom said, adding that he expects continued political attacks not only on himself, but on California as well.
The dispute soon spilled beyond the stage and onto social media. Newsom’s press office claimed that U.S. officials blocked him from speaking with reporters at a Davos media venue, despite an invitation from Fortune, the event’s official media partner. His team suggested the decision came after pressure from the White House and the State Department.
The White House quickly rejected the accusation. In a response to Fox News, spokeswoman Anna Kelly dismissed Newsom’s claims and questioned why the governor was traveling overseas instead of addressing California’s persistent challenges at home.
The exchange capped several days of online sparring between Newsom’s office and Trump allies, including the White House’s Rapid Response account, which openly mocked the governor while President Trump addressed global leaders in Davos.
For critics, the incident reinforced a growing perception: while President Trump focused on economic policy and global negotiations, Newsom appeared more interested in political posturing — a contrast that many voters continue to notice as national politics intensify heading into the next election cycle.
