The Charlie Kirk Show

Episode: The Donald Goes to Davos + Trump 2.0 at One Year
Host: Charlie Kirk
Air Date: January 21, 2026

Overview

This episode centers on President Donald Trump’s headline-making appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he delivered a significant speech one year into his second term. The conversation examines Trump’s evolving approach to foreign policy, especially regarding NATO, the attempted “purchase” or acquisition of Greenland, and the shifting dynamics between the U.S., Europe, and China. Frequent guests provide insight into the strategic, diplomatic, and economic motives behind Trump’s posture, while the hosts reflect on the broader implications for America’s global leadership.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Donald Trump’s Davos Speech and the Greenland Gambit

(02:10–05:56)

• Trump addressed the World Economic Forum, explicitly stating the U.S. will not use force to obtain Greenland but remains keenly interested in acquiring it.
  • Quote (Trump, 02:49):
    “We never asked for anything and we never got anything. We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force...But I won't do that.”
  • The panel contextualizes this as classic Trump negotiation technique: escalate dramatically, then appear reasonable.
• The actual target may be Greenland’s two rare earth mineral formations, not just the territory, with strategic value “without which no advanced weapon system can be built.”
  • Reference to analyst Josh Wolf—highlighting that this isn’t simple expansionism, but about breaking China’s hold (90% of global processing) on key resources vital for defense tech and EVs.

2. Strategic Importance: Defense and Rare Earth Elements

(03:29–07:23)

• Greenland’s minerals like dysprosium and terbium are irreplaceable for U.S. military hardware, such as F-35 fighter jets and submarine sonar arrays.
• Trump’s “Golden Dome” proposal would extend U.S. missile defense coverage, including over Canada, leveraging Greenland’s geography for ICBM threat mitigation.
  • Charlie Kirk (07:23):
    “If the US controls those two fronts, Alaska and Greenland, the ability to defend the lower 48 becomes extraordinarily robust, especially from ICBM attacks coming over the Arctic.”

3. Transatlantic Relations, NATO, and European Responses

(05:56–14:20)

• Trump sharply rebuked Canada and Europe for “freeloading,” insisting U.S. generosity is underappreciated.
  • Trump (06:15):
    “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that mark the next time you make your statements.”
• Debate over whether Trump’s hardline tone will drive European partners away or pressure them to contribute more, especially in NATO.
• Examples of European performativity: Germany’s token military gestures and reluctance to invest heavily in Arctic defense, despite rising threats from Russia and China.
  • Panel (13:00):
    “The best one was Germany, which sent 13 soldiers... They canceled a planned sightseeing trip because it was too cold, and then they got on a commercial flight and flew home...all this as an obvious gesture.”

4. Negotiation Tactics: Art of the Deal in Action

(24:32–26:01)

• Trump’s behavior analyzed as deliberate negotiation bluster: threaten, escalate, then offer a lucrative deal (e.g., suggests paying off Denmark’s national debt in a hypothetical Greenland sale).
  • Jack Posobiec (26:01):
    “It’s literally called the Art of the Deal...he outlines that specific policy in great detail. He says it’s what he does every single time he’s in a high stakes...negotiation.”
• Suggestion that what at first seems like reckless saber-rattling is in fact a choreographed means to unsettle the opposition and reset terms to America’s advantage.

5. Europe’s Bluff? Can Europe Defend Itself Alone?

(19:30–20:52)

• Finland’s President Alexander Stubb claims Europe “can unequivocally defend itself without the Americans,” but backtracks under scrutiny.
  • Stubb (19:38):
    “Can Europe defend itself? My answer is unequivocally yes… Without the Americans.”
  • Panel calls this “peacocking” and sees through the bravado: “They don’t really mean that. They don’t really mean it because it’s not true at all.” (20:36)
• Putin’s alleged assessment (as cited from Russian media) that Europe will ultimately “stand at the feet of the master, America, and wag their tails.”

6. On-the-Ground at Davos: Reactions and Atmosphere

(23:15–27:24)

• Jack Posobiec checks in live from Davos, noting both mockery and grudging respect for Trump among European elites.
  • Jack Posobiec (24:32):
    “They've started to take that old Scott Adams phrase where they…take him seriously, but they don’t take him literally.”
• Emphasis on the effectiveness of Trump’s “madman theory” negotiation—always keeping adversaries off balance.
• Discussion on the strategic case for the U.S. controlling Greenland for missile defense.

7. US Economic and Military Revitalization vs. European Stagnation

(14:20–17:11)

• Trump’s America is cast as “aggressive, robust, muscular,” contrasted with Europe’s “malaise,” slow growth, and migration/fertility crises.
  • Charlie’s Panel (14:20):
    “Trump is right to call their bluff and say you would be nothing without us.”
• Cautions on not alienating allies who have made genuine sacrifices (e.g., Danish casualties in Afghanistan).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Charlie Kirk on NATO Reality (07:23):
  “There’s a lot of stuff that makes sense here...the ability to defend the lower 48 becomes extraordinarily robust, especially from ICBM attacks coming over the Arctic.”

• Panelist on European Response (13:00):
  “The best one was Germany, which sent 13 soldiers...it was so silly...all this as an obvious gesture.”

• Trump Direct at Davos (02:49):
  “I won't use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.”

• Jack Posobiec from Davos (24:32):
  “They take him seriously, but they don’t take him literally. They’re serious about his intentions, but they understand that…he’s saying things for effect over and over again.”

• On European Defenses (19:38):
  President Stubb: “Can Europe defend itself? My answer is unequivocally yes…Without the Americans.”

• Charlie’s Summation (14:20):
  “America is strong, it's aggressive, it's robust, it's muscular. Especially under President Trump. Europe is a malaise.”

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Trump’s Greenland Speech at Davos: 02:10–03:23
• Rare Earths and U.S. Defense Rationale: 03:29–07:23
• Sharp Rebuke of Canada/Europe: 05:56–06:15
• NATO Funding and Denmark’s Role: 07:23–09:21
• Panel Debates U.S. Approach to Europe: 09:21–14:20
• European “Staging” in the Arctic: 13:00–14:20
• U.S. Economic vs. European Stagnation: 14:20–17:11
• Finland’s President Claims Autonomy: 19:30–20:52
• Putin Predicts European Subservience: 21:34–23:15
• Jack Posobiec Live from Davos: 23:15–27:44
• “Art of the Deal" Negotiation Framework: 24:32–26:01
• Gavin Newsom in Davos: 27:24–29:44

Tone & Style

Throughout, the tone is direct, combative, and unapologetically pro-Trump. The hosts and guests provide sharp commentary, mix serious strategic analysis with political humor, and habitually frame U.S. assertiveness as overdue and necessary. European elites are depicted as “posturing,” “malaise-ridden,” or “freeloading,” with Trump’s negotiation savvy and muscular foreign policy cast as both effective and polarizing.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking an in-depth grasp of the episode’s content, arguments, and rhetorical style.