Gov. Gavin Newsom told world leaders to “stand up” to President Donald Trump and show “backbone” during the governor’s visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“It’s time to buck up, it’s time to get serious and stop being complicit,” Newsom told a reporter when asked if he had any message for Europeans concerned about the White House’s comments on Greenland.
“It’s time to stand tall and firm and have a backbone. I can’t take this complicity, people rolling over. I should have brought a bunch of kneepads for all the world leaders.”
The interview referenced Trump’s texts with leaders in Greenland and Denmark, in which he wrote: “Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars, PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace — although it will always be predominant — but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”
Newsom went further and accused European leaders of being too timid in their dealings with Trump, saying they were sending mixed signals in public and private.
“I mean, handing out crowns, handing out Nobel Prizes — it’s just pathetic,” Newsom said. “I hope people understand how pathetic they look on the world stage. From an American perspective, it’s embarrassing.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
