In a striking intervention at the World Economic Forum in Davos, California Governor Gavin Newsom has positioned himself as the Democratic frontrunner Europe is clamouring for, delivering a blistering critique of international leaders' approach to Donald Trump. With his characteristic slicked-back hair and unbuttoned shirt, Newsom might have once been dismissed as a mere political performer, but his message resonated deeply in a year when Trump's renewed threats to annex Greenland have left European capitals reeling.
A Call to End 'Bullsh*t Diplomacy'
Addressing a scrum of journalists in a hotel lobby, Newsom did not mince words. He lambasted what he termed the "complicity" of world leaders who attempt to reason with the former president, urging them to "stop the bullsh*t diplomacy" and demonstrate real fortitude. "It's time to buck up. It's time to get serious and stop being complicit," he declared, his voice firm. "I should have brought a bunch of kneepads for all the world leaders. Handing out crowns? Nobel prizes being given away? I hope people understand how pathetic they look on the world stage."
The 'T-Rex' Analogy and a Demand for Unity
Newsom's most memorable line came as he framed Trump as a predatory force. "Trump is a T-rex. You mate with him or he devours you, one or the other, and you need to stand up to it," he stated, concluding with a plea for European solidarity: "stay tall and united." This vivid metaphor underscored his central argument: appeasement is futile against such an aggressive political animal.
When pressed on specific actions European leaders should take, Newsom demurred, noting it would be poor form for an American politician to advise withdrawing diplomats or mobilising naval forces near Greenland. Yet, his implication was clear: gestures like awarding Trump a Nobel Peace Prize or offering fawning praise are as ineffective as the historic capitulation of the Sudetenland.
From Wine Salesman to Moral Leader
For those familiar with Newsom's career, this performance was not entirely surprising. The author recalls first meeting him decades ago over an expensive wine sale, where Newsom exhibited the polished charm of a car salesman—a trait he shares with President Joe Biden, albeit with less foreign policy depth. However, Newsom's political courage became evident in 2004 when, as mayor of San Francisco, he defied federal threats by officiating same-sex marriages, becoming the face of a movement still gaining acceptance.
In contrast, the author's initial encounter with Trump was as a judge for the Miss USA pageant, a setting that hardly foreshadowed future statesmanship. Both meetings occurred in 2001, an era of relative calm, but today's fearful, angry climate demands toughness—a quality Newsom now embodies to the pride of even laidback Californians.
The Greenland Obsession and a Shift in Political Energy
Newsom's remarks come amid Trump's bizarre fixation on Greenland, a concern that puzzles Americans as much as Europeans. As the author wryly notes, most Americans only notice Greenland on maps every seven years, questioning its size; perhaps Trump's inspiration came from disaster films like Greenland. This absurdity highlights the need for a leader like Newsom, who combines centrist, pro-business pragmatism with rare fiery conviction.
In a political landscape fractured between far-right and far-left extremes, centrists often retreat into grumbling commentary. Newsom, however, stands out as a fearless figure who mocks Trump on social media and engages adversaries like Steve Bannon. While the author once hoped for a president like empathetic Cory Booker, the current moment may require Newsom's blend of charisma and backbone.
A Candidate for a World in Peril
Newsom's Davos appearance marks a pivotal moment in his political ascent. He may not become the "leader of the free world," as the author sceptically notes, given doubts about the free world's survival. Yet, for Europeans desperate for American leadership with moral fibre, Newsom offers a compelling alternative—a slick salesman transformed into a steadfast champion against tyranny. His message is clear: in facing Trump's T-rex, only unity and courage will suffice.
