At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, California Governor Gavin Newsom made a pointed political statement. During a conversation with journalist Ben Smith, Newsom actually picked up a knee pad and held it up for the audience, quipping that he had brought a supply for world leaders he believes are too quick to accommodate President Donald Trump.
“I do have a few if you’d like,” Newsom said, holding the pad in his hand. “Honestly, I’m not kidding — they’re the new Trump signature series knee pads. They are available online. I told you our last one sold out. I just want to sort of say — this is a serious moment. Actually, we laugh, but anyway, these are available in bulk too.”
Host: You’re running around distributing kneepads to CEOs.
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 22, 2026
Newsom: They’re the new Trump signature series kneepads. pic.twitter.com/H5jlMG6JNp
Smith set up the moment by referencing Newsom’s satirical distribution of the knee pads: “You talk — you know, you’re running around distributing knee pads to CEOs. I think it does them good.”
Newsom used the props to highlight what he described as the absurdity of current American leadership on the world stage. “No, it’s deeply unbecoming. Of course it is — it’s not what we should be doing. But you’ve got to point out the absurdity. You’ve got to put a mirror up to this. This is madness,” he said, referencing Trump’s behavior and his administration’s approach to diplomacy.
Donald Trump is headed to @WEF in Switzerland to brag about wrecking the American economy.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 20, 2026
That's why I've also flown to Davos — with an extra suitcase of kneepads for those caving to Trump's insanity — to vigorously defend California as an alternative to Trump's world disorder. https://t.co/U1C0eLhrzm
Still, for those in the audience, it was the visual of Newsom holding up the knee pad — ready for leaders willing to bend too far — that became the defining image of the discussion. The prop symbolized both satire and a sharp critique: a jab at Trump’s approach to diplomacy and a warning against complacency in American leadership.
