California Gov. Gavin Newsom tells world leaders their response to Trump is 'pathetic'

David Lightman, The Sacramento Bee on Jan 20, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

WASHINGTON — California Gov. Gavin Newsom had a stark message Monday for European leaders: “Stand tall and grow a spine,” he said, as they deal with President Donald Trump’s threats to take over Greenland.

“It’s time to buck up, it’s time to get serious and stop being complicit,” he told reporters. “It’s time to stand tall and firm, have a backbone.”

Newsom’s comments, which he posted to X, came as he visited the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a gathering of international leaders and billionaires that Trump is scheduled to also visit this week.

Newsom is viewed as a leading 2028 candidate for president, and has been a leading national critic of Trump.

Asked to elaborate on what standing tall means by reporters in Davos, Newsom said “I can’t take this complicity. People rolling over. I should have brought knee pads for all the world leaders. I mean handing out crowns…this is pathetic. Nobel prizes being given away, this is pathetic.”

Newsom called the behavior embarrassing. “They’ve been played. This guy is playing folks for fools, and it’s embarrassing,” he said.

Trump said this week he would impose new tariffs on eight nations that opposed his plan to seize Greenland. Trump has argued Greenland is vital to U.S. security interests.

He also told Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that because he did not win the Nobel Peace Prize, he no longer is obligated “to think purely of peace.” The prize is determined by a Norway-based committee not associated with the government.

The 2025 Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machado, who is a leader of the Venezuelan opposition movement, presented Trump with her prize, but the Nobel committee noted it is not transferable.

Newsom compared the European response to Trump with the U.S. Congress. “This is like Congress playing both sides, say one thing on text or a tweet and another publicly,” he said.

____