On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was denied the chance to speak at the USA House pavilion by the Trump administration. 🚫🎤
Newsom's press office posted on X that "Under pressure from the White House and State Department, USA House … is now denying entry to California Governor Gavin Newsom to speak with media after Fortune – the official media partner – invited him to speak."
He also pointed out that "California was just denied at the USA House. Last we checked, California is part of USA."
According to staff, they were told a "venue-level decision" was made to "not include an elected U.S. official" in the programming. The team says Newsom had planned to respond to remarks made earlier that day by U.S. President Donald Trump, who in his Davos address floated plans to acquire Greenland – an autonomous territory of Denmark – "including right, title and ownership," though he insisted force would not be used. 🗣️🌍
Newsom used his Davos visit to call out European leaders for their "complicity" in not standing up to Trump's Greenland comments. "It's time to buck up, it's time to get serious and stop being complicit," he told reporters. "It's time to stand tall and firm, have a backbone."
The controversy highlights the deep divisions within U.S. politics, even on the global stage, and raises questions about who speaks for America at major international events. 🌐🇺🇸
Reference(s):
California governor says he was barred from Davos event by Trump
cgtn.com
