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
Massie Introduces Hegseth Impeachment Resolution, House Adjourns Early
September 16th, 2026
Headline Roundup
Trump Pledges $5,000 Payment to Every Adult if Republicans Retain Congress
September 10th, 2026
Recommended Reading
When a Convention Vanishes Without a Trace
Dan Schnur
September 14th, 2026
Story of the Week
Is the US Government Corrupt?
AllSides Staff
September 10th, 2026