Present Trump is arriving to Davis today ready to shake up the Alps and the global order.
On his way to the World Economic Forum, the president teased reporters with his favorite accessory: uncertainty. The trip would be “interesting,” he said, admitting he had “no idea what’s going to happen.” Honestly? Same.
But the whispers started before Trump even touched down. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent brushed off Denmark as “irrelevant,” while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick declared globalization officially over—at least as far as America’s concerned.
Bessent also went hard against the United Kingdom. “Our partner in the UK is letting us down with the base on Diego Garcia, which we’ve shared together for many, many years, and they want to turn it over to Mauritius,” he said.
Bessent and Lutnick were already working the Davos rooms, setting the scene for a speech expected to rattle the world elite.
Trump is slated for the stage at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, just ahead of Greenland discussions with NATO allies.
And then—plot twist. About 45 minutes after departing Joint Base Andrews, Air Force One made an unscheduled U-turn thanks to a “minor electrical issue.” According to the press pool, the lights in the press cabin briefly went out with no explanation offered at the time.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted the decision was made out of “an abundance of caution,” later quipping that the Qatari jet now carrying the president was sounding “much better.”
As Donald Trump makes his entrance on the world’s frostiest stage, he’ll quickly discover that two very important chairs at the table will remain empty. Neither Ursula von der Leyen nor Keir Starmer are expected to meet with him today.
And that is no accident.
As I reported yesterday, European leaders have arrived at a shared conclusion: Trump is becoming almost impossible to deal with. The calculation in Davos isn’t about confrontation—it’s about control. Cool distance over warm diplomacy.
Behind the scenes, officials say Europe will do everything in its power to send a psychological message to the president by measured snubs.
But don’t mistake the chill for influence. I’m told it is “highly unlikely” that Trump will shift his position on Greenland, regardless of how frosty the reception becomes.
Message received. Message returned. Outcome unchanged.
After all, power listens—but it doesn’t always bend.
Stay tuned for more.
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