Amid the backdrop of the World Economic Forum, President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom exchanged public barbs, but their private backstage meeting painted a different picture.

Veteran political journalist Mark Halperin revealed on Thursday evening that Trump and Newsom crossed paths in a hallway prior to the president’s speech on Wednesday afternoon—a speech that Newsom later criticized as ‘boring.’

Halperin described Trump as employing his trademark charm, characterized by a winking demeanor, as he engaged in light-hearted conversation. The atmosphere was reportedly amiable, save for the presence of one top Trump aide who did not partake in the banter.

According to reports, Trump reassured Newsom, saying, “Gavin, we’re good,” despite having criticized the governor just the day before during a White House press briefing.

Reported Pleasant Run-In

In an unexpected media session on Tuesday, Trump had been questioned about a possible encounter with Newsom. He reminisced about their previously ‘almost exceptional’ relationship.

However, Trump acknowledged the current strain, expressing his disapproval by stating, “I just hate the way California is being run.”

During their actual run-in, after Trump was pleasant, Newsom was pleasant right back. 

‘Newsom, no stranger to faux towel snapping, gave Trump a little [expeletive] in a jovial and jokey manner,’ Halperin described. 

Soon the California governor, who is openly talking about running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, was chatting it up with Trump’s inner circle, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair. 

One Aide Reportedly Appeared ‘Less Enthusiastic About Engaging’

In the past, Blair has done some work with Newsom on state government issues.

Halperin described all of those interactions as friendly. 

Stephen Miller was also part of Trump’s entourage. 

The immigration hardliner ‘appeared to be less enthusiastic about engaging,’ Halperin said. 

Trump is known for being much kinder to his political rivals face-to-face. 

On inauguration day 2025, he told President Joe Biden they would have been ‘great friends’ had it not been for politics, and encouraged the outgoing leader to ‘stay in touch.’ 

Now Biden is represented at the White House as an autopen portrait.

Similarly, it went back to politics as usual once Trump and Newsom went their separate ways.

Newsom watched Trump’s speech and immediately gave it a bad review. 

Trump and Newsom Exchanged Public Criticism

 It was remarkably boring. It was remarkably insignificant. He was never going to invade Greenland. It was never real,’ the California governor said. 

Newsom had been scheduled to speak at the USA House in Davos on a panel sponsored by Fortune Magazine, but was barred from entering the property – blaming the White House and State Department for leaving him out in the cold. 

‘How weak and pathetic do you have to be to be this scared of a fireside chat?’ Newsom took to X to complain. 

The White House’s rapid response account hit back, saying that the ‘failing’ governor of California ‘watches from the corner cuck chair as @POTUS delivers a true masterclass at Davos. Embarrassing!’ 

Newsom was still on Trump’s mind during Thursday’s trip back to Washington from Switzerland.

‘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,’ Trump wrote. ‘He made a mockery of himself, and everybody, including his staff, knows it!’ 

Trump Urged Newsom to Focus on California

The president suggested that Newsom should be focused on helping Californians rebuild after last January’s atrocious wildfires. 

‘Then finish out his term, and GO HOME!’ Trump said. 

‘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!’ Trump offered. 

A spokesperson for Newsom did not immediately respond to Daily Mail’s request for comment on the governor’s backstage run-in with Trump. 

The White House declined to confirm Halperin’s report. 

‘Refer you to the President’s Truth Social post on Newscum last night,’ a press aide told the Daily Mail.

Stephen A. Smith slams Newsom for Criticizing Trump at Davos

Stephen A. Smith has slammed the Governor of California Gavin Newsom for traveling to Switzerland to attack Donald Trump on the global stage. World leaders have gathered in Davos this week for the World Economic Forum, with Trump unveiling his ‘Board of Peace’ and announcing a breakthrough with Europe over security arrangements in Greenland. 

The President gave a 90-minute speech on Tuesday addressing Greenland, his first year back in office and, among other things, windmills in China. Newsom was in the audience and stepped in front of the cameras afterwards to lead the criticism of what Trump said.

‘It was remarkably boring, it was remarkably insignificant,’ Newsom said to a group of reporters. ‘Really some jaw-dropping and remarkable statements that just fly in the face of facts and evidence and common-sense. 

My god, there wasn’t anything new about that speech.’ The comments sparked the fury of Smith, who explained that he wanted American officials to act with more unity of the bigger stages and questioned why the Governor of California was 6,000 miles away in Swizterland to begin with.

‘California Governor Gavin Newsom. Respectfully, what are you doing?’ Smith started. ‘You’re the governor of the state of California in the United States of America. Why are you over in Davos, Switzerland talking to folks and speaking negatively about the President of the United States of America? Let me be very clear. I have no problem with Gavin Newsom being candid and open about his feelings about our president on United States soil.

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Report: Newsom denied entry to Trump’s Davos clubhouse

Donald Trump has barred Gavin Newsom from the USA House in Davos after the California governor mocked his ‘boring’ Greenland speech. Newsom’s press office claimed that he was denied entry to the US clubhouse following pressure from the White House on Wednesday. 

The USA House is the official US gathering area for global political leaders and business executives at World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Newsom was reportedly scheduled to speak at the building with a panel hosted by Fortune Magazine but was absent from the event.

‘How weak and pathetic do you have to be to be this scared of a fireside chat?’ Newsom wrote on X after he was denied entry. 

Newsom earlier told reporters that Trump’s keynote speech was ‘insignificant’ and mocked the president for backing off his threat to seize Greenland by force. The California Governor was sitting in the audience watching the speech as Trump declared that he was NATO’s ‘daddy’ and rebuked America’s European allies.

 Newsom, who appeared to be the most senior Democratic politician at the event, is sizing up a run for the presidency in 2028. ‘It was remarkably boring,’ Newsom said of Trump’s speech. It was remarkably insignificant. He was never going to invade Greenland. It was never real…Honestly I was really disappointed.’ 

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