Politics

Treasury Secretary and California Governor Trade Barbs Following World Economic Forum

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Jan 23, 2026

THE BARE STORY

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and California Governor Gavin Newsom engaged in a heated public exchange this week following the governor's appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The conflict involved personal insults and sharp criticism regarding political tactics and governance.

During the forum, Newsom reportedly urged foreign leaders to demonstrate "backbone" when interacting with President Donald Trump. The governor utilized a metaphor comparing the President to a T. rex, warning that counterparts must "mate with him" or risk being devoured. Additionally, Newsom displayed items he described as "Trump signature series kneepads" and was photographed with Alex Soros.

Secretary Bessent responded to these actions in an interview on Thursday, suggesting that Newsom was "cracking up" and possessed a "brain the size of a walnut." Bessent dismissed the governor's dinosaur analogy as nonsensical and questioned his understanding of economics. Earlier in the week, the Treasury Secretary likened Newsom to a combination of the fictional character Patrick Bateman and a "Sparkle Beach Ken" doll.

In response to the criticism, Newsom stated that he is "living rent-free in the Trump administration's head." President Trump also commented on the situation on Tuesday, noting that he and Newsom previously shared a "very good" relationship that "went astray" due to the President's disapproval of how California is currently being run.

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• Warnings to foreign leaders regarding the President During the World Economic Forum, Newsom urged international figures to demonstrate "backbone" when interacting with President Trump. He employed a metaphor comparing the President to a T. rex, warning that counterparts face a choice to "mate with him" or risk being devoured.

• Use of symbolic items and associations The governor displayed physical items he described as "Trump signature series kneepads" during the forum. Reports also noted that Newsom was photographed with Alex Soros while attending the event in Davos.

• Rebuttal to the administration's focus In response to the insults and criticism leveled by Secretary Bessent, Newsom dismissed the attacks by stating he is "living rent-free in the Trump administration's head." This comment addressed the intense reaction his actions in Switzerland elicited from federal officials.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Federal-state collaboration could face challenges, as the President explicitly attributed the breakdown in relations to his disapproval of how California is currently being run.

• U.S. diplomatic messaging appears fragmented, with state representatives actively urging foreign leaders at international forums to adopt confrontational stances toward the federal administration.

• Focus on economic policy may be overshadowed by personal rhetoric, as the Treasury Secretary and Governor engage in public exchanges involving insults rather than substantive debate.

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