California Governor Gavin Newsom has ignited a fiery political confrontation with the White House following former President Donald Trump's address at the Davos summit, which Newsom derided as "remarkably boring." The clash erupted after Trump publicly stepped back from his previous threat to employ military force in an attempt to seize Greenland from Denmark.
A Heated Exchange at the Global Summit
Governor Newsom, positioned as a prospective Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential election and the only such figure present at Davos, swiftly approached reporters immediately after Trump's speech concluded. He launched into a pointed critique of the former president's performance, expressing significant disappointment.
"It was remarkably boring," Newsom stated unequivocally. "It was remarkably insignificant. He was never going to invade Greenland. It was never real… Honestly, I was really disappointed." This public taunting set the stage for a rapid and acerbic response from Trump's camp.
White House Retaliation on Social Media
The White House Rapid Response account on the social media platform X did not hesitate to retaliate, posting a mocking message aimed directly at the California Governor. The post included a photograph of Newsom observing Trump's speech and employed derogatory language.
"The failing Governor of California (rampant with fraud) watches from the corner cuck chair as @POTUS delivers a true masterclass in Davos," the account wrote. "Embarrassing!" This exchange highlights the intensely partisan and personal nature of contemporary political discourse, even in international forums.
The Resurgence of the 'TACO' Moniker
Trump's remarks regarding Greenland inadvertently revived a popular acronym used by his detractors: TACO, which stands for "Trump Always Chickens Out." Originally coined by Wall Street traders in May following the president's repeated vacillations on tariff policies, the term gained fresh traction.
This week, a frenzy of activity was observed among Japanese stock market traders on social media, where celebratory 'TACO' memes proliferated following Trump's de-escalation on Greenland. The market response was notably positive, with traders anticipating this retreat.
Market Reactions and Investor Sentiment
"Japan stocks and US stocks both going up!! So glad I believed in Trump-san's TACO," wrote one Japanese trader, using the respectful honorific "Trump-san." This sentiment was echoed by financial experts who forecasted the event.
Stephen Dover, chief market strategist at Franklin Templeton, noted prior to the speech, "The [market] decline is small, given the gravity of the situation. What that implies to me is that most investors are thinking TACO." Trump, with his background as a New York real estate tycoon and keen awareness of Wall Street, closely monitors market fluctuations, which had dipped during the Greenland controversy before rebounding after his pledge.
Trump's Stance on Greenland Remains Firm
Despite vowing not to utilise military force, President Trump reiterated his commitment to acquiring control of the Danish territory during his Davos address. He outlined a vision where Greenland would serve as a strategic base for infrastructure supporting a 'Golden Dome' defence system, designed to protect the Western Hemisphere from ballistic missile threats.
In a related move, over the preceding weekend, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on eight European nations due to their support for Greenland. These tariffs are scheduled to commence at 10 percent next month, escalating to 25 percent in June, and will remain enforced until a negotiated agreement is reached.
This episode underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the intersection of international diplomacy, economic policy, and domestic political rivalries, all playing out on the global stage of the Davos summit.
