Ifejika joyce
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom shows off customized knee pads for world leaders and CEOs ‘bending the knee’ for Trump
California Governor Gavin Newsom used a provocative prop at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, brandishing bright red knee pads that he said symbolised leaders and institutions “selling out” to the Trump administration.
Speaking during a session at the forum, Newsom said the knee pads, which bear the signature of Donald Trump, were available for purchase through a website he created. “The last round of knee pads sold out, just as our law firms are selling out. Many American universities are selling out, and yes, many corporate leaders are selling out to this administration,” he said, adding that they were “available in bulk, too,” as he held one up to the audience.
Newsom intensified his criticism by accusing global leaders of capitulating to Trump. “I can’t take this complicity of people rolling over,” he said earlier in Davos. “I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders.” He later argued that the United States was no longer operating under the rule of law but under what he called “the rule of Don,” saying: “Co-equal branches of government, the rule of law, popular sovereignty, tell me that that reflects the America you read about today. There’s no rule of law. It’s the rule of Don.”
The governor said a scheduled appearance at USA House, a privately organised venue at the forum, was cancelled shortly after Trump addressed the gathering. “I was going to speak last night… They made sure that I didn’t. They made sure it was canceled,” Newsom said, later criticising the decision on social media. USA House, which does not represent the US government, is sponsored by major companies including Microsoft, Pfizer and Ripple.
Trump acknowledged Newsom’s presence in Davos during his own speech, calling him a “good guy” and saying the two once “got along so great.” Newsom declined a later invitation to USA House for a “VIP Nightcap,” according to reports.
A frequent attendee at Davos dating back to his time as mayor of San Francisco, Newsom has been widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028. He has spent recent years publicly sparring with Trump and other senior Republicans, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, positioning himself as a vocal critic of Trump’s influence on US politics and global business leaders.
Watch the video below………………………….
Chisom Orjiogbu
