Newsom, on the world stage at Davos, accuses Trump of trying to suppress dissent

California Governor Gavin Newsom accused the Trump administration of blocking his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Newsom's scheduled conversation with Fortune at USA House, a privately run venue serving as the official US hub, was canceled the day before he was set to speak. Newsom believes the cancellation was an attempt by the Trump administration to suppress dissent following Trump's own speech at the forum. He characterized the action as consistent with the administration's "authoritarian tendencies" and a reversal of American values regarding freedom of expression. Newsom, who is considering a 2028 presidential run, made these remarks during a separate appearance at Davos.

California Governor Gavin Newsom accused the Trump administration of blocking his entry to USA House, an American venue at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, January 22, 2026. This alleged denial led to the cancellation of his planned "fireside chat" with a Fortune editor. Newsom, a frequent critic of Trump, suggested the action was consistent with the administration's "authoritarian tendencies" after he criticized European leaders for not standing up to Trump. The White House did not respond to questions about the incident. While USA House has corporate sponsors, the U.S. government is an official partner at the venue.