California Governor Gavin Newsom made headlines at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday by brandishing bright red knee pads he said symbolized world leaders and institutions “selling out” to former President Donald Trump.
Speaking during a session at the forum, Newsom joked that the knee pads, which bore Trump’s signature, were available for purchase on a website he created. “The last round of knee pads sold out, just as our law firms are selling out. Many American universities are selling out, and yes, many corporate leaders are selling out to this administration,” he said, holding one up to the audience. “They’re available in bulk, too.”
Newsom criticized global leaders for what he called their complicity with Trump, saying: “I can’t take this complicity of people rolling over. I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders.” He further argued that the US was no longer operating under the rule of law, but under what he called “the rule of Don.”
The governor also noted that a scheduled appearance at USA House, a privately organized venue at the forum, was canceled shortly after Trump spoke. “I was going to speak last night… They made sure that I didn’t. They made sure it was canceled,” Newsom said, criticizing the decision on social media. USA House, which does not represent the US government, is sponsored by companies including Microsoft, Pfizer, and Ripple.
Trump acknowledged Newsom’s presence during his own Davos speech, calling him a “good guy” and noting that they once “got along so great.” Newsom reportedly declined a later invitation to a USA House “VIP Nightcap.”
A frequent attendee at Davos since his time as San Francisco mayor, Newsom has positioned himself as a vocal critic of Trump and other senior Republicans, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and is widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028.
