Gavin Newsom arrived at the World Economic Forum in Davos prepared to confront Donald Trump’s influence head-on. He cast Trump as a destabilizing force and accused global leaders of enabling him through silence and accommodation.

In blunt remarks, Newsom mocked political and business elites, accusing them of bowing to Trump out of fear or convenience. His comments framed the moment as a moral test, warning leaders they would be remembered as collaborators if they failed to resist.

Newsom’s message was meant to rally opposition, but the reaction in the room told a different story. As cameras rolled, influential figures signaled that their priorities were shifting away from ideological confrontation.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte openly said Trump was “right” about Greenland, reinforcing Trump’s hard-line strategic thinking. The statement suggested growing acceptance of Trump’s leverage-based approach to global power.

Business leaders echoed similar themes. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang credited Trump-era policies with fueling America’s AI boom and massive new industrial investments, emphasizing results over rhetoric.

European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron voiced concern about tariffs and trade pressure. However, their responses focused on protecting national interests rather than mounting a values-based critique of Trump.

The contrast was striking. While Newsom argued for principled resistance, global power brokers appeared increasingly pragmatic, adapting to Trump’s economic and geopolitical influence.

In the end, Newsom’s outburst highlighted a widening divide. Democrats pressed for ideological opposition, while much of the global establishment quietly aligned with transactional politics, reindustrialization, and raw power over traditional diplomacy.