Gavin Newsom went shopping for global attention in Switzerland—and came home empty-handed.

While California continues to buckle under crime, homelessness, and budget chaos, the Golden State’s governor jetted off to the World Economic Forum in Davos, hoping to posture as an international anti-Trump crusader. Instead, Newsom’s European escapade turned into a high-profile embarrassment when his scheduled appearance was abruptly scrapped and he was denied access to the official U.S. pavilion.

Newsom was slated for a cozy “fireside chat” sponsored by Fortune, one of the World Economic Forum’s media partners. But that invitation hit a wall when USA House—the official U.S. venue at Davos—refused him entry, effectively pulling the plug on his attempt to audition for the global elite.

According to USA House’s own description, it “operates a small number of marquee venues along the Promenade, including penthouses and historic locations inside and adjacent to the security zone, selected for their suitability for senior-level conversations in a discreet and secure setting.” Apparently, Newsom didn’t make the cut.

The governor’s communications team immediately went into damage-control mode, rushing to X to spin the rejection as political persecution. The Governor Newsom Press Office posted:

“Under pressure from the White House and State Department, USA House (a church acting as the official US pavilion) is now denying entry to @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom to speak with media after Fortune — the official media partner — invited him to speak.”

Newsom himself followed up with a social-media tantrum, trying to look defiant while playing the victim:

“How weak and pathetic do you have to be to be this scared of a fireside chat? https://t.co/esUCsDaYcw”

The White House was unimpressed and wasted no time responding. Spokesperson Anna Kelly delivered a blistering rebuke that cut straight to the point:

“No one in Davos knows who third-rate governor Newscum (sic) is or why he is frolicking around Switzerland instead of fixing the many problems he created in California.”

Ouch.

Despite being sidelined from the main event, Newsom still managed to embarrass the country abroad. At another Davos gathering, the California governor leaned into Democrat vulgarity, unveiling what he called “Trump-signature kneepads” as a prop to mock world leaders he claimed were metaphorically “sucking up” to President Trump.

Not content with theatrics, Newsom also took shots at America’s own institutions—smearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and members of the U.S. military in front of a foreign audience, continuing a pattern of contempt for those who actually serve the nation.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered perhaps the most devastating takedown of the week, torching Newsom during remarks in Davos:

“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 didn’t stop there.

“He’s here this week with his billionaire sugar daddy, Alex Soros!”

And then came the knockout blow:

“I was told he was asked to give a speech on his signature policies, but he’s not speaking,” Bessent added, “because what have his economic policies brought? Outward migration from California, a gigantic budget deficit, and the largest homeless population in America.”