Gavin Newsom Banned from Davos US Forum: White House Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt Declares “He Doesn’t Represent the United States”

California Governor Gavin Newsom was not merely unwelcome at this year’s U.S. forum events during the World Economic Forum in Davos—he was explicitly barred from attending any official American delegation gatherings, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the arrangements confirmed today.

The decision, described by insiders as “deliberate and non-negotiable,” was communicated to Newsom’s office well in advance of the summit. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the matter bluntly during Tuesday’s briefing:

“He doesn’t represent the United States,” Leavitt said. “He represents a small number of would-be communists in a dying state. The President made it clear: California’s current leadership does not speak for this administration or for the American people. He was not invited, he was not welcome, and he was not allowed in those rooms.”

Newsom, who arrived in Davos earlier this week and has been highly visible in media interviews and side events, appeared to disregard the restriction. He was photographed at several non-official WEF sessions and gave multiple cable-news interviews criticizing the Trump administration’s economic and immigration policies. However, he was physically prevented from entering any U.S.-hosted bilateral meetings, private delegation briefings, or the official American reception, according to three separate sources familiar with security protocols.

One senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the situation as “intentional optics.” “The message was sent months ago: this administration is not going to platform governors who spent the last four years undermining federal policy and then show up in Davos pretending to speak for the country. He knew the rules. Showing up anyway was purely performative.”

Newsom’s office has not issued a formal response to the ban, but a spokesperson told reporters Tuesday that the governor “remains focused on representing California’s interests on the global stage and will continue engaging with world leaders on climate, technology, and economic opportunity.”

The exclusion has already become a major talking point in conservative media and on social platforms, where Leavitt’s “would-be communists in a dying state” line has been memed, quoted, and celebrated by Trump supporters. California’s ongoing battles with homelessness, crime, high taxes, and population exodus have long been a favorite target of the administration, and Newsom’s high-profile international appearances are frequently framed as tone-deaf and self-aggrandizing.

“Newsom knew he wasn’t supposed to be there,” said one Republican strategist close to the White House. “He showed up to manufacture outrage and play victim. The people of California should be ashamed they keep electing someone who embarrasses them on the world stage.”

Democrats and progressive commentators have pushed back, calling the ban “petty” and “unprecedented.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) posted on X: “Barring an elected governor from U.S. events because he disagrees with the President is not strength—it’s authoritarian insecurity.”

Regardless of the political framing, the incident marks a clear and public break in protocol. Previous administrations have routinely included governors from both parties in Davos delegations, even during tense political periods. This year’s decision to explicitly forbid Newsom appears to be a deliberate choice by the Trump White House to signal that only aligned state leaders will be given a platform on the international stage.

As the WEF continues through the week, Newsom remains in Davos, attending unofficial panels and giving interviews — but barred from any event bearing official U.S. branding.

For a governor who has long positioned himself as a national and global figure, the snub is both symbolic and substantive.

And for the millions of Californians watching from home, it is yet another reminder of how far their state’s leadership has drifted from the current national consensus.