Newsom is coming unhinged.
California Governor Gavin Newsom launched a sharp verbal attack on European leaders this week, accusing them of weakness and double-dealing in their interactions with President Donald Trump.
Speaking during the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Newsom argued that foreign officials privately praise Trump while publicly criticizing him—behavior he described as dishonest and cowardly.
According to Newsom, European leaders are unwilling to confront the president directly, choosing instead to complain behind the scenes while appearing submissive in private communications.
He said global leaders should stop what he characterized as appeasement and begin taking firmer public positions, warning that mixed signals only empower Trump rather than restrain him.
The remarks followed reports that Trump exchanged messages with officials connected to Greenland and Denmark, amid renewed international attention over U.S. strategic interests in the region. In one message, Trump referenced his foreign policy record and emphasized that his priority remains protecting American interests.
Newsom mocked what he called excessive praise for Trump from foreign officials, criticizing discussions of awards and honors as embarrassing. From his perspective, such behavior makes international leaders appear weak on the world stage.
The California governor later shared a video clip of his comments on social media, asserting that traditional diplomacy does not work with Trump and urging world leaders to stop what he described as submissive behavior.
Trump, meanwhile, responded in his trademark style. On Tuesday, the president posted AI-generated images on Truth Social showing himself planting an American flag in Greenland.
One image featured Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio standing nearby, alongside a sign declaring Greenland a future U.S. territory.
Another image portrayed several European leaders — including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — gathered around a map depicting Greenland, Canada, and Venezuela as part of the United States.
Newsom responded by accusing Trump of manipulating global leaders, arguing that Europe’s reluctance to confront him earlier has now left the continent in a weaker position. He warned that continued hesitation would only deepen that vulnerability.
Trump is scheduled to address the World Economic Forum later this week, marking another high-profile appearance at the global gathering.
The event brings together thousands of political leaders, corporate executives, and policy advocates to discuss economic inequality, artificial intelligence, global trade, and geopolitical conflict.
As Trump prepares to take the Davos stage once again, the clash underscores a growing divide between America’s populist leadership and the global political establishment—a divide that continues to shape international politics heading into the next election cycle.
