By Jonathan Ferreira
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was blocked from speaking at an event during the World Economic Forum in Davos and blamed the Trump administration for the decision. His office said that USA House, the official US pavilion at the summit, denied him entry on Wednesday despite an invitation to speak at an event organised with media partner Fortune. Newsom criticised the move on social media, saying California was being excluded despite being an integral part of the United States. The White House responded by criticising Newsom’s presence at the forum and said he should focus on addressing issues within his state instead.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly dismissed Newsom’s criticism, saying few people in Davos were aware of him and accusing the governor of avoiding responsibility for problems in California. She did not explain why Newsom was denied entry or confirm whether the administration intervened. Newsom, a vocal critic of President Trump who is considering a future presidential bid, said his team was informed shortly before the event that the appearance had been cancelled. His office said USA House officials claimed the event no longer fit their programming and alleged the decision was made under pressure from the White House and State Department. Newsom responded angrily online, accusing officials of being afraid of a public discussion.
Several Trump administration officials spoke at USA House, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who mocked Newsom during his remarks and suggested the governor should focus on homelessness, wildfires and budget issues. Newsom later attended Trump’s speech at Davos, where the president mentioned him by name and described him as a good guy despite political differences. Newsom was seen smiling during the address but later criticized it as lacking substance. He said he expected more from the president and described the speech as inconsequential, adding that it failed to offer any meaningful ideas despite its confrontational tone.
