2026-01-16T21:21:55.822Z
California Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to call out President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum.
Newsom has been a vocal critic of Trump, who is also set to appear at Davos.
Newsom’s office said he plans to defend California and advocate for “democratic capitalism.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to meet President Donald Trump where he’s at — in Switzerland.
Newsom said in a statement Friday that he is heading to Davos for the World Economic Forum next week. He specifically called out Trump, who is set to return to the annual meeting of CEOs and world leaders.
“Trump’s economic agenda betrays our nation: it is not ‘America First’ but ‘Trump First’ — rewarding the favored, punishing the dissenters, and burdening the rest,” Newsom said in a statement provided to Business Insider. “At the World Economic Forum, I will forcefully confront these abuses and resolutely defend the principles to which California owes its economic strength: disciplined governance, world-leading universities, boundless innovation, and an open embrace of global cultures.”
“As Trump undermines long-standing alliances, California will remain a beacon of stability and loyalty. To remain silent in the face of such wrongdoing is not neutrality — it is complicity,” he said.
Newsom, who’s been a vocal critic of Trump, plans to call out the president during public speaking events and private meetings with business and world leaders.
The governor’s office said he plans to challenge CEOs and institutions that it says have been complicit in Trump’s efforts to erode democracy. He also plans to make the case for “democratic capitalism” as opposed to “crony capitalism.”
Trump is scheduled to speak at Davos on January 21. Newsom is scheduled to speak on January 22.
