In a highly unusual and rambling address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, former US President Donald Trump reignited his controversial push for the United States to acquire Greenland, while making a bizarre claim that he was referred to as "daddy" by its inhabitants.
Trump's Greenland Ambitions Resurface at Davos
During his speech, Trump reiterated his long-standing interest in taking over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, but sought to downplay any aggressive intentions. He stated emphatically, "I won't use force" to annex the island, framing the proposal as a diplomatic request rather than a hostile takeover.
'They Called Me Daddy' Remark Sparks Confusion
The most peculiar moment came when Trump asserted, "They called me daddy. A very smart man said, 'He's our daddy, he's running it.'" This comment appeared to reference Greenlanders, though he seemed to confuse the territory with Iceland earlier in his remarks, saying, "until the last few days when I told them about Iceland, they loved me."
Trump described Greenland as "a piece of ice, cold and poorly located," yet argued that no nation other than the US could properly secure it. He positioned the potential acquisition as a favour to Europe and NATO, claiming, "I'm helping Europe. I'm helping NATO."
Appealing for Appreciation Through Territory
The former president framed the Greenland bid as a transactional gesture, suggesting European nations should show their gratitude for US support by ceding the territory. He declared, "You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember," implying potential diplomatic consequences for refusal.
This speech marks a revival of Trump's 2019 efforts to purchase Greenland, which were swiftly rejected by Denmark at the time. His Davos comments have drawn attention for their mix of geopolitical ambition and personal anecdote, highlighting his unorthodox approach to foreign policy.
