Trump and Newsom Share Friendly Backstage Moment at Davos Summit
While President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom engaged in public political jousting during the World Economic Forum this week, their private backstage encounter was markedly more jovial and congenial. Veteran political journalist Mark Halperin reported on Thursday evening that the two leaders met in a hallway area prior to the president's Wednesday afternoon address to the assembly.
A Charm Offensive and Jovial Exchange
According to Halperin's account, President Trump was in a particularly charming mood during the impromptu meeting. 'The president laid it on thick, deploying that super charming winking manner that he uses in such cases,' Halperin described. The journalist noted there was 'friendly banter all around' among the group, with one notable exception from a top Trump aide.
Trump reportedly told the Democratic governor, 'Gavin, we're good,' a statement that came just one day after the president had disparaged Newsom in front of the White House press corps. During a surprise briefing on Tuesday, Trump had reflected on their previously close relationship, remarking, 'But now we seem not to,' while criticising how California is being governed.
Newsom's Playful Response and Wider Interactions
Governor Newsom, described by Halperin as 'no stranger to faux towel snapping,' responded in kind with playful, jovial banter directed at the president. Following this initial exchange, the California governor, who has openly discussed a potential 2028 Democratic presidential run, engaged in friendly conversation with several members of Trump's inner circle.
This group included Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, who has previously worked with Newsom on state government matters. Halperin characterised all these interactions as genuinely friendly, though noted that immigration hardliner Stephen Miller 'appeared to be less enthusiastic about engaging.'
Trump's History of Personal Cordiality with Rivals
This behaviour aligns with President Trump's known tendency to be personally cordial with political opponents in face-to-face situations. A notable precedent occurred on inauguration day 2025, when Trump told outgoing President Joe Biden they could have been 'great friends' without politics and encouraged him to stay in touch.
However, the Davos détente proved temporary. Once separated, both leaders quickly returned to their characteristic political posturing. Newsom watched Trump's speech and delivered an almost immediate negative review, calling it 'remarkably boring' and 'remarkably insignificant,' while dismissing the president's remarks about Greenland as bluster.
Post-Encounter Political Warfare Resumes
The governor had earlier expressed frustration about being barred from speaking at a Fortune Magazine-sponsored panel at the USA House in Davos, blaming the White House and State Department. On social media platform X, Newsom complained, 'How weak and pathetic do you have to be to be this scared of a fireside chat?'
The White House rapid response account fired back, describing the 'failing' California governor as watching 'from the corner cuck chair as @POTUS delivers a true masterclass at Davos. Embarrassing!'
Trump's Continued Criticism on Return Journey
President Trump maintained his criticism during Thursday's return flight to Washington from Switzerland. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote, 'Gavin Newscum, as a "Lame Duck" Governor of a Failing State, should not be at Davos running around screaming for the attention of Foreign Leaders, and embarrassing our Country.'
The president suggested Newsom should instead focus on helping Californians recover from last January's devastating wildfires, before concluding, 'Then finish out his term, and GO HOME!' Trump added that given Newsom's record and California's challenges, 'it is unimaginable that he could run for President but, who knows, it's a very strange World!'
Official Responses and Non-Confirmations
A spokesperson for Governor Newsom did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the backstage encounter. The White House declined to confirm Halperin's report, with a press aide directing inquiries to 'the President's Truth Social post on Newscum last night.'
This episode at the global economic summit highlights the complex, often contradictory nature of modern political relationships, where public confrontation frequently coexists with private cordiality between ideological opponents.
