Newsom Waves ‘Trump Signature’ Knee Pads at Davos, Mocking CEOs and Trump Allies
California Gov. Gavin Newsom turned heads at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday by pulling out a pair of bright red kneepads onstage and promoting them as the “Trump signature series knee pads” — a pointed joke aimed at business, political and academic leaders he accused of “rolling over” to President Donald Trump.
The moment came mid-discussion with Semafor editor Ben Smith, where Newsom said the kneepads — sold online for about $100 — are being marketed to anyone he believes has capitulated to Trump’s influence.
Newsom raised the stakes by linking the pads to broader concerns about institutional acquiescence to the Trump administration, saying “the last round of knee pads sold out, just as our law firms are selling out … and yes many corporate leaders are selling out to this administration.”
That onstage gibe followed earlier friction at the forum, including the abrupt cancellation of a planned Fortune magazine-hosted talk for Newsom. His office blamed pressure from the Trump White House and State Department; event partners said programming decisions played a role.
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“They’re the new Trump signature series knee pads,” Newsom said, holding them up for the audience.
The symbolic stunt highlighted growing tensions between one of the Democratic Party’s highest-profile governors and Trump’s political orbit, and underscored Newsom’s effort to cast himself as a foil to the former president on both domestic and global stages.
Political analysts say the episode adds a theatrical flourish to what is already a highly charged political moment. It also raises questions about whether such gestures help or hurt Newsom’s national profile.
Expect further reactions from both Trump allies and Democratic strategists as Newsom continues his Davos engagements later this week.
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