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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent again went after California Governor Gavin Newsom amid their ongoing tit-for-tat — using Newsom’s frequent references to “kneepads” to take a thinly veiled jab at the Democrat.

Bessent went in on Newsom during a conversation on the Ruthless Podcast, mentioning the governor’s penchant for saying that national and world leaders would benefit from kneepads in their bowing to President Trump.


  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took shots at California Gov. Newsom on the Rustless Podcast. Ruthless Podcast Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took shots at California Gov. Newsom on the Rustless Podcast. Ruthless Podcast

“He said that be brought all these knee pads with him,” the treasury secretary said, referencing Newsom’s regular mentions of kneepads during his stop at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

“I don’t know — mayor of San Francisco? Who knows,” Bessent said with an a smirk, earning hearty laughs from the show’s hosts.


  Bessent mentioned Newsom’s selling of kneepads bearing President Trump’s signature. REUTERS Bessent mentioned Newsom’s selling of kneepads bearing President Trump’s signature. REUTERS

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The two have spent more than a week going back and forth — with Newsom starting the war of the words by calling Bessent “smug” and the treasury secretary responding by describing the governor as “economically illiterate.”

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