In a lengthy and rambling keynote address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, former US President Donald Trump delivered a speech that left attendees concerned for his health and bewildered by its content. The hour-long presentation was littered with attacks on America's allies, slurred words, and a chilling threat regarding Greenland.
A Sleepy and Slurred Delivery
Observers noted that Trump, now 79 years old, appeared to struggle to stay awake during his speech, with his words often slurring and his eyelids drooping. This followed a gruelling travel schedule that included a late-night college football game in Florida and an insanely long press conference before his flight to Switzerland. The elderly former president seemed disoriented, genuinely wobbling at the podium as he addressed a silent room of the world's political and economic elite.
Eight Key Moments from the Unhinged Address
1. A Late Arrival Causing Protocol Breach
Trump's journey to Davos was marred by technical difficulties when Air Force One was forced to turn around due to a minor electrical problem. After switching to a backup 737, he arrived so late that he had to skip the customary photo opportunity for keynote speakers and amble straight to the podium to begin his speech.
2. Visible Struggles with Coherence
Throughout the address, Trump looked extremely unsteady, with moments where he genuinely seemed to be fighting to deliver his prepared remarks. His advanced age and apparent jet lag contributed to a performance that raised questions about his capacity for such demanding international appearances.
3. Attacking the UK Over Wind Energy
In one particularly lengthy segment, Trump singled out Britain for criticism over its wind energy policies. He declared windmills to be "losers" purchased by "stupid people," and claimed the UK produces just one third of the energy it did in 1999 despite sitting on North Sea reserves. This attack came shortly after Prime Minister Keir Starmer had publicly stood up to Trump over the Greenland issue during Prime Minister's Questions.
4. The Greenland Ownership Argument
Trump set out a bizarre argument for why Denmark should simply hand over "right, title and ownership" of Greenland to the United States. He branded Denmark "ungrateful" for US protection of the territory during World War II, describing Greenland as a "big piece of ice" that couldn't properly be called an island. He questioned why America had returned it to Denmark after the war, suggesting this was a foolish decision.
5. A Chilling Threat to World Leaders
While claiming to rule out using force, Trump made what many interpreted as a veiled threat regarding Greenland. He stated, "We would be frankly unstoppable, but I won't do that... All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland... So they have a choice. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember." This menacing language left the audience uneasy about his intentions toward allied nations.
6. Geographical Confusion: Calling Greenland Iceland
On at least four separate occasions during the speech, Trump mistakenly referred to Greenland as Iceland. This geographical confusion, combined with his slurred delivery and apparent fatigue, provided ammunition for those who argue the former president is struggling with the cognitive demands of public office.
7. A Rambling Story About Swiss Watches
Speaking in Switzerland itself, Trump told a lengthy anecdote about Rolex watches and tariffs that he said had "rubbed me the wrong way." He claimed Switzerland was "taking advantage" of the United States by exporting luxury watches without paying sufficient fees, detailing how he had imposed and then reduced tariffs after negotiations with Swiss representatives.
8. Mocking Emmanuel Macron's Sunglasses
In a moment of petty criticism, Trump mocked French President Emmanuel Macron for wearing sunglasses indoors, asking the audience, "What the hell happened?" This drew laughter from some attendees, despite Macron having explained the sunglasses were due to a completely harmless eye condition.
Broader Implications of the Speech
The overall impression left by Trump's Davos appearance was one of concerning decline mixed with aggressive foreign policy posturing. His attacks on close allies like the UK, Denmark, and Switzerland, combined with the threatening language about Greenland, suggest a willingness to undermine traditional diplomatic relationships. The visible physical and cognitive struggles during delivery only heightened concerns about his fitness for a potential return to international leadership.
