California Governor Newsom Says European Leaders Look ‘Pathetic’ Before Trump: 'Have A Backbone'

Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 20:30 IST

Newsom said European leaders must stop “rolling over” to Donald Trump as tensions rise over Greenland and US tariff threats.

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to the media as he attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a stinging rebuke of European leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF), saying they had been “played" by US President Donald Trump and warning that their cautious response to recent Trump threats had left them looking “pathetic" and weak.

Speaking to reporters at the annual gathering of world political and business figures on Tuesday, Newsom criticised what he described as a failure by Europe to push back strongly against Trump’s recent diplomatic and tariff manoeuvres, including threats to push for control of Greenland and new tariffs on European goods.

Newsom urged European capitals to adopt a firmer stance, saying they must “stand tall, stand firm, stand united" rather than rolling over in the face of pressure from Washington.

“It’s time to buck up. It’s time to get serious and stop being complicit. It’s time to stand tall, firm, have a backbone," Newsom told reporters.

In unusually blunt language, Newsom added: “I can’t take this complicity of people rolling over. I should have brought a bunch of kneepads for all the world leaders… It’s just pathetic."

In remarks that were widely reported on European and UK media outlets, he also invoked a metaphor for Trump’s diplomacy: “Donald Trump is a T-rex — you either mate with him or he devours you, one or the other, and you need to stand up to it…"

The reference to having been “played" by Trump reflects frustration among some European commentators and opposition voices over what they see as disruptive US pressure on allies amid disputes over Arctic strategy and tariffs.

Newsom also appeared to be referring to Trump recently being awarded the world’s first FIFA peace award and to Venezuela opposition leader Marina Corina Machado offering the US president her Nobel Peace Prize medal. While Newsom did not name Trump directly in that context, his remarks were widely interpreted as criticism of what he sees as excessive praise of the US leader by international figures.

News world California Governor Newsom Says European Leaders Look ‘Pathetic’ Before Trump: 'Have A Backbone'

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