California Gov. Gavin Newsom, long one of President Donald Trump's chief trolls, took the routine this week to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland – and got a globally televised rise out of the president.
Shortly afterward, Newsom accused the Trump administration of blocking him from entering a pavilion where he had been scheduled to appear.
Their shared moment during Trump's speech and the resulting dust-up quickly became more fodder for Trump and Newsom's social media teams and further highlighted Newsom's presidential ambitions. The California governor is a top potential contender for the 2028 nomination and elevated his profile by adopting Trump's online style to mock him.
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
PA Gov. Shapiro Signs Order Requiring Stricter Data Center Regulation
August 25th, 2026
Headline Roundup
Trump Moves to Cut Beef Prices With Import Tariff Waiver
August 22nd, 2026
Recommended Reading
When AOC Takes a Step Back—and Possibly Forward
Dan Schnur
August 24th, 2026
Recommended Reading
When Establishment Democrats Dodge a Bullet
Dan Schnur
August 17th, 2026