Newsom publicly criticizes CEOs for bowing down to Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom openly criticized a gathering of top executives, university leaders, and international figures for appearing to capitulate and "sell out" to former President Donald Trump. The remarks came during The New York Times annual DealBook Summit, where journalist Aaron Sorkin inquired about Newsoms satirical Newsom Kneepads.

Newsoms Patriot Store offers fictional MAGA-red kneepads featuring Trumps signature, intended as a humorous jab at the former presidents merchandise line, which includes items like the Trump Bible. While the products are not genuine, customers can purchase them with proceeds directed to Newsoms Campaign for Democracy.

Theyre available today, Newsom joked. Some of you may want to buy them in bulk. Our new Trump Signature kneepads are on my Patriot site, which is a real website. He added that the kneepads, much like universities, law firms, and many CEOs, were sold outselling out the country, our future, our republic, selling my kids, your grandkids.

The DealBook Summit assembles hundreds of leaders from business, politics, and the arts. This years attendees included executives from Coinbase, BlackRock, General Motors, Palantir, Anthropic, Bayer, Major Food Group, Nordstrom, PayPal, Southwest Airlines, Mattel, Under Armour, Pinterest, and Victorias Secret. University presidents from Oberlin College, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, the University of San Diego, and Stanford also participated.

During his address, Newsom warned that if Democrats fail to reclaim the House of Representatives, future U.S. elections could resemble authoritarian-style contests seen in countries like Russia, Turkey, and Hungary. Thats the model for Trump, he said, citing evidence to support his claims.

Newsom criticized Trumps interventions in California elections, including deploying Border Patrol agents to discourage voter turnout at Dodger Stadium and sending the Department of Justice to monitor a statewide election, asserting that the process had been compromised before any votes were cast. He described the situation as code red while acknowledging that many leaders benefit from state and crony capitalism.

One of the things Im trying to do is express my concern with greater conviction and clarity, Newsom concluded.

Analysis: Governor Newsom's Critique of Corporate and Academic Capitulation

Governor Gavin Newsom's comments at The New York Times' DealBook Summit offered a scathing critique of business and academic leaders who, in his view, have compromised their values by aligning with former President Donald Trump. Newsom’s remarks targeted prominent corporations, universities, and CEOs, accusing them of “selling out” to Trump’s influence, thereby compromising the nation’s future. His comments underscore a broader concern about the growing intersection of politics and business, where profit often appears to take precedence over democratic values.

Newsom’s sharpest criticism came during a light-hearted moment where he promoted his “Newsom Kneepads” – a satirical product poking fun at Trump’s own branded merchandise. However, behind the humor was a serious message about the erosion of public trust. Newsom linked this sell-out mentality to larger societal issues, stating that these actions were ultimately detrimental to the American public and the future of democracy itself. His words suggest that many of these powerful groups, whether by design or indifference, have actively participated in undermining democratic norms in favor of personal gain.

In addition to his criticisms of business leaders, Newsom also highlighted the risk of authoritarianism looming over U.S. elections. He warned that if Democrats fail to regain control of the House of Representatives, American elections could begin to mirror those in authoritarian regimes. Newsom’s remarks about the interference in California’s elections—specifically the deployment of Border Patrol agents and the monitoring of elections by the Department of Justice—highlight a concerning trend of political manipulation that he believes could undermine the integrity of democratic processes.

The tension between economic interests and democratic governance is becoming an increasingly salient issue in the U.S. As powerful figures in business and academia continue to engage with controversial political actors, the question remains whether these alliances will ultimately help or hinder the nation’s democratic health.

Sources:

• Newsom Roasts CEOs to Their Faces for Bending the Knee to Trump