At the World Economic Forum this week, an intriguing dynamic unfolded between President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom. While their public exchanges were marked by sharp words, a private meeting backstage painted a different picture.

Veteran political journalist Mark Halperin shed light on an impromptu encounter that took place in the hallway just before Trump’s Wednesday afternoon address at the forum. Newsom, who later derided Trump’s speech as “boring,” found himself in a surprisingly amicable interaction with the President.

Halperin described Trump as turning on the charm, employing his well-known personable style. The atmosphere was filled with lighthearted banter, with both leaders engaging in friendly exchanges—though one senior Trump aide did not partake in the camaraderie.

In a gesture of reconciliation, Trump reportedly assured Newsom, “Gavin, we’re good,” despite having criticized the Democratic governor the previous day in front of the White House press corps.

During a surprise press briefing on Tuesday, Trump had reflected on their past rapport, hinting at a once “exceptional” relationship. However, he lamented, “But now we seem not to,” expressing his discontent with California’s governance under Newsom.

‘But now we seem not to,’ Trump said, noting ‘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 s*** in a jovial and jokey manner,’ Halperin described. 

President Donald Trump (left) and Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom (right) came face-to-face at Davos on Wednesday and had an affable reunion, journalist Mark Halperin reported Thursday night

California Governor Gavin Newsom listens to President Donald Trump’s address in Davos Wednesday. They bumped into each other backstage ahead of Trump’s speech. In the audience, Newsom is surrounded by Trump aides including Margo Martin (left) 

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. 

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.

California Governor Gavin Newsom reacts to President Donald Trump’s Davos address in which he made demands to take control of Greenland, something the California governor called out as bluster  

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (left), President Donald Trump (center) and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (right) all exchanged pleasantries with Governor Gavin Newsom backstage at Davos 

California Governor Gavin Newsom gave President Donald Trump’s to the World Economic Forum an almost immediate bad review. Ahead of the speech, however, Trump and Newsom exchanged pleasantries 

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.

‘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!’

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

President Donald Trump concluded his trip to the World Economic Forum on Thursday and continued to trash California Governor Gavin Newsom on his way home, blasting him for ‘running around screaming for the attention of Foreign Leaders’

‘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.