California’s Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom appeared visibly uncomfortable while being forced to sit through a public reading of blistering insults leveled at him by senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration.
The awkward moment unfolded while Newsom was being interviewed at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Semafor editor Ben Smith read aloud several viral attacks from Trump officials that have gone after Newsom’s credibility, competence, and ego.
Among them was a particularly savage line from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Bessent memorably described Newsom as “Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken.”
Videos of Bessent making the remarks during a Wednesday speech have been going viral on social media.
Smith pressed Newsom directly, asking whether that kind of discourse was “good for America,” while also citing additional attacks.
He noted that the insults also include the White House communications director mocking him as “Gavin Newscum” and an official government account using a sexual slur to describe the California governor.
“No, it’s deeply unbecoming,” Newsom said, clearly rattled.
“Come on, of course it is, he added, scanning the room of global elites for support.
“It’s not what we should be doing.
“But you’ve got to point out the absurdity… This is madness.”
WATCH:
However, the insults didn’t emerge in a vacuum.
Earlier in the day, Bessent unloaded on Newsom after the governor theatrically brought knee pads to Davos.
The prop was meant to mock world leaders for “bending the knee” to President Trump.
The stunt backfired badly.
“Governor Newsom, who strikes me as Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken, may be the only Californian who knows less about economics than Kamala Harris,” Bessent said.
“He’s here this week with his billionaire sugar daddy, Alex Soros, and Davos is the perfect place for a man who, when everyone else was on lockdown, when he was having people arrested for going to church…”
WATCH:
.@SecScottBessent in Davos: "I think it's very, very ironic that Newsom — who strikes me as Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ben — may be the only Californian who knows less about economics than Kamala Harris. He's here this week with his billionaire sugar daddy, Alex Soros." pic.twitter.com/9BmdpaebEd
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 21, 2026
The White House piled on as well.
Director of Communications Steven Cheung compared Newsom to a spoiled child throwing a tantrum online.
“Gavin Newscum sounds like a petulant child who can’t control his emotions,” Cheung wrote on X.
“So he sits there wildly gesticulating like mommy didn’t give him enough attention.”
Gavin Newscum sounds like a petulant child who can't control his emotions. So he sits there wildly gesticulating like mommy didn't give him enough attention. Maybe he needs to be sent to his room, but we all know that could be more trouble. https://t.co/aoqbs0R5rU
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) January 20, 2026
In addition, Trump also mocked Newsom during the president’s own speech.
Newsom appeared enraged while Trump suggested to global elites that the governor needs help running California.
It comes as Newsom increasingly positions himself as President Trump’s loudest domestic antagonist, widely seen as laying groundwork for a 2028 presidential run.
Newsom confirmed last year that he is “seriously considering” launching a campaign.
That ambition, however, collides with political reality.
During his trip to Davos this week, Newsom has appeared vastly out of his depth.
Newsom continues to face intense criticism at home over soaring crime, rampant homelessness, and government mismanagement.
Scrutiny intensified further after catastrophic Los Angeles County wildfires burned thousands of homes and left 31 people dead.
Even so, establishment media continues floating Newsom as a national contender.
Recent polls show him narrowly competitive with J.D. Vance, though the California governor’s performance at Davos did little to project confidence or command.
Instead, Newsom found himself on the world stage, not delivering leadership, but squirming as Trump officials read his political obituary to a room full of global elites.
READ MORE – Trump Humiliates Gavin Newsom in Front of World Leaders at WEF
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.