As the world’s power brokers converge in Davos, Switzerland, the atmosphere is charged with discussions on pressing global matters such as the economy, geopolitics, AI, and climate change. This exclusive gathering at a luxurious ski resort has become a stage where influential figures share their insights, often from the comfort of their private jets and expansive estates.

Among the attendees this year is Team Trump, whose presence is stirring up the already dynamic environment. RedState’s Rusty Weiss reports that the action began on Tuesday when Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick delivered a pointed critique of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and its “globalist orthodoxy.”

The drama escalated on Wednesday as Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent took the spotlight. In anticipation of President Trump’s arrival, Bessent didn’t shy away from controversy. He launched a sharp critique at California Governor Gavin Newsom, asserting that Newsom “may be the only Californian who knows less about economics than Kamala Harris.” The jab resonated with many in attendance, adding fuel to the political fire.

Such exchanges highlight the tensions and diverse viewpoints that characterize the Davos meetings, where the future of global policies is debated by some of the world’s most influential leaders. As discussions continue, the impact of these gatherings on global affairs remains a topic of considerable interest and speculation.

Speaking on a panel surrounded by world leaders and business titans who have long championed offshoring, cheap foreign labor, and borderless trade for the United States, Lutnick contrasted those views with a familiar, unapologetic America First ethos pushed by President Trump. It was a solid setup for when the President makes his own appearance at the WEF.

“The Trump Administration and myself, we are here to make a very clear point — globalization has failed the West and the United States of America,” Lutnick announced. “It’s a failed policy. It is what the WEF has stood for, which is export, offshore, far-shore, find the cheapest labor in the world, and the world is a better place for it.” 

On Wednesday, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent took the stage to give remarks ahead of President Trump’s arrival – and he took direct aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), saying, among other things, that Newsom “may be the only Californian who knows less about economics than Kamala Harris.” Ouch.