Washington Examiner columnist Tiana Lowe Doescher suggested that Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) doesn’t understand diplomacy after he criticized how European leaders treat President Donald Trump.
Newsom and Trump attended the Davos Summit this week, where the governor suggested that there were “people rolling over” for the president.
“I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders. I mean, handing out crowns, this is pathetic. Nobel Prizes, they’re being given away. I mean, it’s just pathetic,” Newsom said.
Lowe Doescher defended Maria Corina Machado, whom Newsom appeared to reference in his comments as she offered her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump. Machado is the Venezuelan opposition leader, but has not been backed by the United States as a possible successor to former dictator Nicolas Maduro.
“It’s called diplomacy, look it up,” Lowe Doescher said on Newsmax Tuesday. “He’s referencing Maria Machado; she has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help liberate her country. Trump, obviously, taking out Maduro was wonderful, but right now, there is a communist puppet leader in [acting Venezuelan President] Delcy Rodriguez. Maria Machado understands, ‘OK, if I need to go, give Trump my Nobel Prize to make him feel better about the idea of handing over the government to me, I’m going to do it.’ That’s called diplomacy.”
“Newsom: Your patriotism shouldn’t end based on if there is an ‘R’ or a ‘D’ next to the name of the guy occupying the White House, right?” Lowe Doescher added. “But ultimately, some of what Donald Trump did was good.”
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Trump has cast doubt on Machado’s ability to secure broad support. Machado won the primary election in 2023, but has been living in hiding ever since Maduro banned her from seeking office. The CIA has also recommended that Rodriguez remain in place for the time being to ensure stability within Venezuela.
These comments from Newsom come as he is wrapping up his last term as governor of California. Newsom is largely speculated to be a Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential nomination.