Human Events with Jack Posobiec – January 22, 2026

Episode Title: "The New American Vision: Trump, Greenland, Global Power, and the American Century"
Host: Jack Posobiec
Guest: Secretary Scott Bessant (U.S. Treasury Secretary)
Location: Davos, Switzerland (World Economic Forum)
Release Date: January 23, 2026

Overview

This episode brings a deep-dive interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant from the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The conversation explores “America First” foreign policy, President Trump’s global agenda, the high-stakes plans for Greenland, reshaping international trade, and efforts to shore up American economic strength for all generations—especially children. There is a strong focus on history, strategic vision, energy, rare earths, shipping, NATO burden-sharing, critiques of globalist approaches, and the intersection of geopolitics with the American middle class.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Administration’s Agenda at Davos (13:23–15:34)

• Bessant's focus: Celebrating President Trump’s first year achievements in office: robust economic growth, innovative trade/tax/peace deals, deregulation, and U.S. “energy dominance.”
• America First, not America Alone: The administration seeks strengthened leadership but invites allies into mutually beneficial pacts.
• Peace & Partnerships: Bessant emphasizes eight new peace deals, a reshaped partnership with Ukraine, and leadership by example.

“America first doesn’t mean America alone. We want to lead by example...trade deals, tax deals and peace deals.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (13:49)

2. Global Reception & Shifting World Order (15:34–18:13)

• Mixed responses: Latin America is moving toward U.S.-style prosperity; Asia and Africa attracted to U.S. leadership. The EU is more bureaucratic and slow to adapt.
• The “Don Road Doctrine”: Trump’s policy direction reasserts American influence in the Western Hemisphere.
• European hesitation: Noted friction from European leaders, particularly on defense spending and sovereignty.

“A strong US means strong democracy.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (17:57)

3. Critique of Globalist Leaders and the Canadian Model (18:13–20:00)

• Canada under scrutiny: Bessant questions Canadian Prime Minister Carney’s ties to China and compares Texas’ GDP to Canada’s.
• Sovereignty focus: Bessant contrasts U.S. autonomy with Europe’s dependency on China and the U.S. security umbrella.

“Texas has a bigger GDP than Canada.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (18:30)

4. NATO, Defense Spending, and European Burden-Sharing (03:25, 20:00–21:33)

• $22 trillion paid by U.S.: The U.S. has spent vastly more than all NATO allies combined since 1980, mostly defending Europe.
• Demand for fairness: Urges Europe to step up military and economic contributions.

“We have spent $22 trillion more. Imagine—over two-thirds of our outstanding national debt.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (20:15)

5. Greenland: National Security and Economic Imperative (21:40–33:15)

• The “Greenland Question”: Strategic importance for missile defense, resources (rare earths, oil, gas), shipping routes, and as a global choke point.
• Historical context: Draws parallels to Alaska’s acquisition and “Seward’s Folly.”
• Danish skepticism: Bessant frames Danish/EU resistance as short-sighted, citing past neglect of Greenland by Denmark and referencing abuses against Greenlanders.
• Climate and geostrategy: Suggests warming may increase Greenland’s value, including new shipping opportunities.

“Who controls Greenland very well may control the future.”
— Jack Posobiec (08:26)

“The president is looking at Greenland strategically...when Alaska was bought, it was called Seward’s Folly...then, the Gold Rush. So I think the President is looking at Greenland the same way.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (22:09–23:13)

6. Historical Precedent of U.S. Expanding Influence (26:32–32:31)

• U.S. history of strategic purchases: Alaska from Russia, the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark, completion of the Panama Canal.
• Military precedent: U.S. has maintained military presence in Greenland for decades; critical for WWII and Cold War operations.

“The Danes have let the Chinese come in and mine in Greenland.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (31:55)

7. Climate Change, Policy Shifts, and Innovation (27:37–30:19)

• Cynicism toward European climate policy: Both Posobiec and Bessant critique extreme positions (culling cattle, dire warnings).
• Emphasis on innovation: U.S. fracking and resourcefulness, not economic sacrifice, are lauded as solutions to energy and climate concerns.

“It’s not going to be privation and economic malaise that cures climate, it is going to be innovation...just like we did.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (28:15)

8. Shipping Lanes, Strategic Chokepoints, and Russian Threats (35:22–39:21)

• Arctic shipping: Greenland’s rise as a new global “maritime choke point” (the GIUK gap); resonance with naval strategic theory.
• Russian & Houthi threats: Illustrates the weakness of European response to new military/economic threats, advocating preemptive U.S. control.

“New global choke point might be what we in the Navy refer to as the GIUK gap: Greenland, Iceland, UK gap...militarily, strategically, commercially.”
— Jack Posobiec (36:24)

9. Ukraine Update & The State of the War (39:34–41:33)

• US role: Bessant outlines Trump administration’s efforts to shift European—and not US—funding for Ukraine.
• Hope for resolution: Expresses optimism for a diplomatic solution before Ukraine’s “summer killing season” resumes.

“War never would have happened if President Trump had been in office.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (40:14)

10. “Trump Accounts” and the American Middle Class (41:33–47:12)

• America 250 initiative: National pride and renewal as US celebrates its 250th anniversary.
• Universal investment accounts: Every child born in the U.S. to receive a $1,000 government-funded, market-based investment account; philanthropists and states encouraged to supplement these.
• Goal: Democratize wealth-building, bolster financial literacy, and strengthen long-term economic equality.

“Once we give every child a stake...every American gets to share in the bounty of America. That will be a game changer.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (46:01)

11. Exchange with Governor Gavin Newsom and Davos Critiques (47:12–49:05)

• Newsom compared to a brontosaurus: Bessant offers a sardonic retort to Newsom’s “T. Rex” comment on Trump.
• Davos food and social engineering: Light-hearted jabs at the World Economic Forum’s unpopular proposals (eating insects, anti-meat policies).

“I didn’t really understand this comparison to T. Rex...I would compare Governor Newsom probably to a brontosaurus, just a big lumbering beast with a brain the size of a walnut.”
— Secretary Scott Bessant (47:52–48:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. leadership and American exceptionalism:
  “President Trump is the president of the future. He’s looking back and honoring the past but imagining what the next 250 years look like and setting the course.”
  — Secretary Scott Bessant (42:40)

• On defense spending and European dependence:
  “The Europeans were spending on social welfare...we’ve spent it defending the world. Time for the rest of the world to chip in.”
  — Secretary Scott Bessant (20:05)

• On strategic vision for Greenland:
  “If it’s US territory, no one is going to stake claim to it...the Danes have let the Chinese come in and mine in Greenland.”
  — Secretary Scott Bessant (31:55)

• On American identity:
  “Anyone who wants to deny American exceptionalism is wrong.”
  — Secretary Scott Bessant (42:48)

Important Timestamps

• [13:49] – Administration’s international agenda
• [15:41] – Global leaders’ response to “America First”
• [17:57] – Europe’s resistance, American example
• [18:30] – Critique of Canadian policy
• [20:15] – Discussion on U.S. defense spending
• [21:40] – Prelude to the Greenland discussion
• [23:13] – Historic parallels: Alaska, “Seward’s Folly,” Gold Rush
• [29:36] – Climate change, innovation over austerity
• [35:22] – Importance of Arctic shipping, GIUK gap
• [39:59] – Ukraine update, US diplomacy
• [41:33] – “Trump accounts” concept and rollout
• [42:48] – Reflection on American exceptionalism
• [47:52] – Bessant’s “brontosaurus” quip about Newsom
• [49:05] – Closing thanks and overall context

Tone & Style

The episode features a blend of serious policy analysis, historical context, candid humor, and aggressive rhetorical critiques of opposition leaders and globalist approaches. The tone is unapologetically patriotic and emphasizes self-reliance, American leadership, and a vision for a confident, innovative future.

Conclusion

This Human Events episode offers robust, detail-rich commentary on Trump administration policies, global strategy, and domestic economic reforms. It is especially strong on the “why” and “how” behind Greenland’s new strategic importance, the rationale for the “Trump accounts,” and the American role in world affairs. Posobiec and Bessant’s banter is energetic, partisan, and historically informed—with direct critiques of U.S. adversaries, skeptical allies, and political opponents at home and abroad.

For listeners wanting the macro view of where Trump-era America sees itself in 2026—and a preview of policy battles on the horizon—this is a must-hear conversation.