Newsom Says Trump Administration Blocked His Davos Appearance
California Governor Gavin Newsom said the Trump administration pressured USA House to cancel his Davos talk; USA House and the administration deny the allegation publicly.
Overview
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was denied entry to USA House in Davos after a planned Fortune "fireside chat" was canceled, alleging White House and State Department pressure.
Fortune confirmed inviting Newsom; USA House said it decided not to accommodate his participation citing programming alignment, logistical or security considerations and offered an evening reception alternative.
The White House criticised Newsom, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly calling him a "third-rate" governor; officials did not directly confirm whether they pressured USA House to cancel his remarks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly mocked Newsom at Davos; President Trump mentioned and complimented the governor during his address, highlighting the visible tensions among U.S. leaders.
Newsom framed the canceled appearance as political suppression and continues to position California as an alternative to federal policy; the episode raises questions about influence over private summit venues.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a partisan confrontation and spectacle, emphasizing conflict over policy. They foreground competing claims (Newsom's denial vs. White House criticism), highlight political context (Newsom's presidential prospects), and select attention-grabbing details and organizational choices that stress controversy while noting lack of clear evidence tying the administration to the denial.
Sources (6)
FAQ
USA House is a privately funded venue outside the World Economic Forum in Davos, serving as a base for U.S. executives and officials, with backers including Microsoft and McKinsey, and the U.S. State Department as an official partner.
Newsom accused the White House and State Department of pressuring USA House to cancel his planned Fortune fireside chat, after he criticized European leaders for not pushing back against Trump.
USA House cited programming alignment, logistical, or security considerations for not accommodating Newsom and offered an evening reception instead; the White House called him a 'third-rate governor' and denied recognition.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mocked Newsom as 'economically illiterate' and noted he was not speaking; White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly dismissed him as unknown and criticized his focus.
Newsom intended to present California as a counterbalance to Trump's policies, critiquing Trump's 'crony capitalism' and promoting 'democratic capitalism' with shared rules and competition.
History
3 sources