‘I’m Living Rent-Free in the Trump Admin’s Head,’ Jokes About Trump ‘Kneepads’ [WATCH]

California Gov. Gavin Newsom publicly acknowledged Thursday that his escalating war of words with the White House has crossed into territory he described as “deeply unbecoming,” even as he continued to provoke the Trump administration during a high-profile appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, as reported by Fox News.

Newsom’s remarks came during a special session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, moderated by Ben Smith, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor.

At the start of the discussion, Newsom drew laughter from the audience by holding up what he described as “Trump signature series kneepads,” a jab at world leaders he has accused of showing deference to Donald Trump.

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After the joke, Newsom shifted to a more reflective tone, conceding that the rhetoric between his office and the Trump administration has grown increasingly crude.

“It’s not what we should be doing. But you’ve got to point out the absurdity,” Newsom said, explaining that his approach is intended to “put a mirror up” to the president and his allies.

Gavin Newsom says he lives “rent free” in Trump’s mind. Nah. Like a record number of people in California, you’re homeless. pic.twitter.com/CpX7kBu4se

— Chad Prather (@WatchChad) January 22, 2026

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The California governor cited recent comments from Scott Bessent, who mocked Newsom earlier in the week by comparing him to “Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken.”

Newsom argued that the remarks showed senior Trump officials are paying close attention to him.

“We’re deeply in their head,” Newsom told Smith. “I think the affordability agenda appears to be I’m living rent-free in the Trump administration’s head.”

NEW: California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s “living rent-free” in the Trump administration’s head, firing back after Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent said the Democrat strikes him as “Patrick Bateman meets Sparkle Beach Ken.”

“It was as if he was reading a diary and had just broken… pic.twitter.com/Ssxduc4xEw

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) January 22, 2026

Despite the insults, Newsom acknowledged what he described as Trump’s political strengths.

“That’s his gift,” Newsom said, referring to Trump’s ability to identify weakness.

“But you punch back. You fight fire with fire. You display conviction and strength. It’s a different relationship. And so, my relationship to this moment is reflected in that. I’m not naive. These guys are going to try to take me down, not just my state.”

The exchange unfolded amid a broader public dispute between Newsom’s office and the White House.

On Wednesday, Newsom’s press team claimed on X that the governor was denied access to speak with reporters at the USA House in Davos after Fortune, the event’s official media partner, invited him.

The press office alleged the decision was made under pressure from the White House and the State Department.

The White House rejected that characterization.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly responded to Fox News by saying, “No one in Davos knows who third-rate governor Newscum is or why he is frolicking around Switzerland instead of fixing the many problems he created in California.”

The spat has played out across social media in recent days, with Newsom’s press office trading barbs with Trump administration allies, including the official White House Rapid Response 47 account, which mocked the governor while Trump was delivering remarks in Davos.

While Newsom has framed his confrontational style as strategic, his admission that the feud has become “deeply unbecoming” reflects an awareness that the exchanges have moved beyond policy disagreements into personal attacks.

Even so, the California governor showed little sign of backing away from the confrontation as the verbal sparring continues on the international stage.

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