Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Skips Trump Event to Meet California Governor

<figure><img alt="Pedro Sanchez" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/G2WRZGE6QRD57J6J5SKMG7QTKE.JPG?auth=b3e550aec888f1ef4955b53598672455f6084b4762ed25e7dbec16df7791593d&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3191&amp;height=1795" /><figcaption>Fabian Bimmer / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez did not attend the United Nations General Assembly reception hosted by former President Donald Trump on September 22, 2026, in New York. Instead, he met with California Governor Gavin Newsom.</p><p>Sánchez has previously disagreed with Trump on various issues, including the Iran war and NATO. He described Trump’s speech at the event as “very ideological” and lacking factual support.</p><p>Spanish media reports indicate that Sánchez’s absence from the Trump-hosted event was due to a prior commitment not listed on his public schedule. He prioritized meetings with Apple CEO Tim Cook and Australia’s Prime Minister over attending Trump’s event.</p><p>Government spokeswoman Elma Saiz stated, according to El País, that Sánchez “is not going to attend that dinner, but basically because the invitation arrived a few days ago, when the whole trip was already prepared.”</p><p>Reports suggest that Sánchez, who is facing an election next year, may have chosen not to be photographed with Trump due to the latter's unpopularity in Spain.</p><p>Sánchez also participated in Jon Stewart’s podcast, <i>The Weekly Show</i>, discussing Trump’s views on climate change and the Middle East, stating that “his political positions are not, let’s say, largely supported by many countries worldwide.”</p><p>During his meeting with Newsom, the two discussed clean energy initiatives. Newsom later posted on X, stating, “It was a pleasure to meet again with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro @SanchezCastejon to sign a new MOU strengthening California-Spain collaboration on climate action and clean energy.”</p><p>The White House did not respond to a request for comment.</p>