Gov. Gavin Newsom urged European leaders to “stand up” and show “backbone” to President Donald Trump – and stop fawning over him in private texts while criticizing him publicly.
“It’s time to buck up, it’s time to get serious and stop being complicit,” Newsom told a reporter during the Democrat’s visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, when asked if he had any message for Europeans concerned about the White House’s comments on acquiring Greenland.
“It’s time to stand tall and firm and have a backbone. I can’t take this complicity, people rolling over. I should have brought a bunch of kneepads for all the world leaders.”
Gavin Newsom slammed world leaders for Trump’s response in a candid moment at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday. AFP via Getty Images
The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. Lafargue Raphael/ABACA/ShutterstockThe interview came after Trump texted with leaders in Greenland and Denmark, writing: “Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars, PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace — although it will always be predominant — but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”
Newsom accused world leaders of being too timid in their dealings with Trump, saying they were sending mixed signals in public and private.
Here’s the latest on Trump’s negotiations with Greenland
- Trump vows US will have ‘total access’ to Greenland ‘with no end’ under deal, may still acquire island
- Trump’s proposed Greenland deal may give US control of land around island’s military bases
- Trump announces framework for Greenland deal, cancels future tariffs
- Trump announces ‘framework’ for Greenland deal — won’t say if US ownership still needed
“I mean, handing out crowns, handing out Nobel Prizes — it’s just pathetic,” Newsom said. “I hope people understand how pathetic they look on the world stage. From an American perspective, it’s embarrassing.”
Newsom posted a clip of his comments on X, writing: “There’s no diplomacy with Donald Trump.”
“Get off your knees and grow a spine.”
On Tuesday, Trump trolled European Union leaders about Greenland by sharing AI-generated images of himself planting an American flag on the Danish territory.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron arrives to speak to the press after delivering a speech during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 20, 2026. AFP via Getty ImagesThe images, posted on the president’s Truth Social account, depict Trump staking his claim, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio standing behind him. A sign in the background declares Greenland a “U.S. territory, est. 2026.”
In another AI-generated image shared by Trump, European leaders — including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — are shown gathered around a map in the Oval Office depicting Greenland, Canada, and Venezuela as part of the United States.
Newsom argued that leaders need to stop appeasing the president and start standing up to him, warning that Trump was “playing folks for fools.”
“He’s a T-Rex. You mate with him or he devours you — one or the other,” the governor said.
Newsom argued that Europe’s failure to confront Trump earlier had left it in a weaker position now, adding that the EU was now “paying the price.”
Trump is set to speak at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, marking his third visit to Davos.
The event has drawn nearly 3,000 attendees from the worlds of business, advocacy, and policy to tackle issues such as the growing gap between rich and poor, AI’s impact on jobs, geo-economic conflict and tariffs.
