During the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, California Governor Gavin Newsom was present at the venue on January 20, prior to the official agenda of U.S. President Trump.

When asked about concerns that wealthy individuals were relocating from California to Texas and whether California remains a global hub for technological innovation, Newsom responded, "It's not even a question; others aren't even close."

Newsom pointed out that among the world's top 50 AI companies by market capitalization, 32 are headquartered in California. Furthermore, California continues to hold a leading global position in critical frontier fields such as quantum computing, robotics, aerospace, clean energy, and green energy. "We have the most Fortune 500 companies in the United States; it's not even a comparable discussion," he stated.

California is the wealthiest and most populous state in the U.S. By GDP, it ranks as the world's fourth-largest economy, trailing only the United States overall, China, and Japan.

In an interview with media, Newsom also expressed that Trump does not represent the entirety of America.

When discussing whether the World Economic Forum should have invited Trump as a keynote speaker, Newsom remarked that, as U.S. President, Trump's role is unavoidable. "As an American, I am proud of that. I respect and revere the institution of the presidency itself," he said, "but I have no respect for the current president personally."

He emphasized that the international community should understand an important distinction: one can love America while opposing or even disliking the current president. "These two things are not in conflict," Newsom stated, "That has always been my position."

Regarding whether the European Union should take countermeasures against the Trump administration, Newsom did not directly call for retaliation. Instead, he shifted the focus to America's long-term internal competitiveness, particularly its capacity for technological innovation.