President Donald Trump took aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom in a fiery Truth Social post, criticizing Newsom at the World Economic Forum in Davos and taking aim at his record in office. Trump wrote:
“Gavin Newscum, as a ‘Lame Duck’ Governor of a Failing State, should not be at Davos running around screaming for the attention of Foreign Leaders, and embarrassing our Country. He made a mockery of himself, and everybody, including his staff, knows it! He should get the permits so that people can build their homes destroyed by the fire that he could have prevented if he would have allowed water to flow from the Pacific Northwest. He should finish his monstrously ‘overbudget and behind schedule’ Railroad, from San Francisco to L.A., one of the Greatest Public Disasters in History, and focus on stopping Crime in the streets of California Cities — Then finish out his term, and GO HOME! With a record like he’s got, the ruination of one of the most beautiful places on Earth, where people are leaving in droves, it is unimaginable that he could run for President but, who knows, it’s a very strange World!”
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 08:23 PM EST 01.22.26 pic.twitter.com/L7mdfcLQoj
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 23, 2026
Trump’s comments come as Newsom was in Switzerland to deliver a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. According to multiple reports, Newsom’s planned address faced pushback from U.S. administration officials, who allegedly pressured the event organizers regarding his participation ultimately leading to Newsom being denied entry. The speech was a high-profile opportunity for Newsom to discuss issues such as climate policy, economic development, and international cooperation, but it now comes amid criticism from the president over both his domestic record and his international visibility.
The president’s post sharply criticized several aspects of Newsom’s tenure:
- Wildfire management: Trump accused Newsom of preventing water from flowing from the Pacific Northwest, claiming this contributed to the destruction of homes in California fires.
- High-Speed Rail project: He called out the California high-speed rail, labeling it “monstrously overbudget and behind schedule” and one of the “Greatest Public Disasters in History.”
- Crime and domestic governance: Trump urged Newsom to focus on stopping crime in California cities and suggested he finish his term before considering any higher office.
- Population decline: Highlighting the state’s ongoing challenges, Trump noted that people are “leaving in droves” from California.
Trump also mocked the idea of Newsom running for president, saying, “it is unimaginable that he could run for President but, who knows, it’s a very strange World!”
This post reflects ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Newsom, particularly over issues of governance, public safety, and national image abroad. Critics note that Trump’s rhetoric continues to personalize policy debates and elevate political attacks in social media messaging, framing Newsom’s Davos trip not as an international engagement but as an embarrassment to the country.
