Trump's Truth Social Tirade Draws Mocking Response from California Governor
Former President Donald Trump unleashed a lengthy and angry social media post on Thursday evening, directly targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom. The outburst came after Newsom's controversial appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where the governor made critical remarks about Trump's leadership.
Davos Dispute Escalates to Public Feud
The conflict stems from Newsom's participation in the prestigious international forum, where he urged European leaders to take a stronger stance against Trump's policies. According to reports, Trump and his staff were particularly angered by the governor's presence at the event and his pointed commentary.
Newsom faced additional controversy when he was denied entry to the US pavilion at Davos, where he had been scheduled to deliver a planned "fireside chat." The California governor immediately blamed the White House for the exclusion, suggesting it was retaliation for his critical remarks.
Newsom's Defiant Response and Presidential Aspirations
In an interview with Semafor's Ben Smith, Newsom didn't hold back his criticism of the former president. "Is it surprising the Trump administration didn't like my commentary and wanted to make sure that I was not allowed to speak?" Newsom asked rhetorically. "No, it's consistent with this administration and their authoritarian tendencies."
The governor, who is widely considered a potential presidential candidate for 2028, went further in his assessment, calling Trump "historically unpopular" and expressing frustration about the political climate. "How the hell are we putting up with this?" he wondered aloud during the interview.
Newsom's response to Trump's social media attack was notably brief and mocking. From his personal X account, the governor simply shared a screenshot of Trump's rant with the caption "Rent free" – suggesting Trump was obsessing over him without cost or benefit.
Trump's Multi-Pronged Social Media Assault
Trump's attack on Newsom was part of a broader social media blitz on Thursday evening that included dozens of posts on his Truth Social platform. The former president didn't limit his criticism to the California governor alone, targeting various Democratic figures and even some Republicans while simultaneously praising his own leadership and accomplishments.
In his specific message about Newsom, Trump accused the governor of "running around screaming for the attention of Foreign Leaders, and embarrassing our Country." He told Newsom, who cannot seek reelection as California governor due to term limits, to finish his term "and GO HOME!"
The social media activity extended beyond domestic politics, with Trump also disinviting Canadian public figure Mark Carney from his proposed "Board of Peace" for Gaza. Carney had criticized Trump from the Davos stage, prompting the retaliatory action. Additionally, Trump used the platform to question NATO's value and share messages that applauded his own leadership style and decisions.
This public feud highlights the ongoing tensions between prominent Democratic figures and the former president as the political landscape continues to evolve ahead of future election cycles. The exchange demonstrates how international forums like Davos have become stages for domestic political conflicts to play out on a global scale.
