The NPR Politics Podcast

Episode: "Defiant Trump Continues Calls for Acquiring Greenland"

Date: January 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delves into President Trump's controversial renewed insistence on acquiring Greenland from Denmark, a topic he spotlighted during his address to the World Economic Forum in Davos. The hosts analyze the domestic and international response to Trump’s rhetoric, his broader foreign policy impulses, and diverging perspectives within the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland. The episode also touches on U.S. affordability issues, reactions from global leaders, and whether political support is shifting on Capitol Hill.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump at Davos: From Affordability to Greenland

• Expectations vs. Reality
  • White House framed the speech as focusing on affordability and the rising cost of living.
  • Trump diverged significantly, entering campaign-mode territory: attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar, Somali immigrants, rehashing election fraud claims, and—most notably—pressing for U.S. acquisition of Greenland.
• Quote: Trump on Military Force & Greenland
  • "We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won't do that. ... I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force." — Donald Trump, as quoted by Domenico (01:44)
• Analyst Reaction
  • The panel agrees Trump’s statement isn’t particularly reassuring internationally, highlighting his unpredictability and tendency to bring volatility to global affairs.

2. Interpreting Trump's Intentions

• Two Possible Takes:
  • Bravado: Trump boosting the U.S. military’s prowess.
  • Veiled Threat: Implication that force is an option, intentionally keeping the world on edge.
  • "We don't know what's in Trump's head. I mean, no one does. And he is very unpredictable." — Danielle Kurtzleben (03:43)

3. Volatility & Investor Anxiety

• Market Impacts
  • Trump’s saber-rattling about Greenland led to a market dip, contradicting his view that markets should only react to economic growth.
  • "It's really not looking in the mirror at all to say, gee, maybe some of the saber rattling that's really irritating allies is destabilizing."
• Doctrine of U.S. Hegemony
  • Trump’s rhetoric aligns with a "regional territorial strongman" doctrine: Washington controls the Western Hemisphere and all within it.
  • “Anything in the Western Hemisphere is sort of under the aegis of the United States… a strongman kind of view." — Domenico Montanaro (05:11)

4. Trump's Greenland Logic

• Historical Justification
  • Trump argues U.S. WWII military presence in Greenland entitles the U.S. to the territory—a "big logical leap" per Danielle.
  • Lack of traditional “guardrails” (Tillerson, Bolton, etc.) in Trump’s second term increases unpredictability.

5. Affordability Promises: Policy Details & Contradictions (07:30)

• Actual Policy Proposals
  • Cap credit card interest rates at 10%.
  • Executive order limiting institutional investors from buying single-family homes.
  • Continues to tout U.S. economic success, often with embellishment.
• Contradictions
  • Trump says he doesn’t want home prices to fall since much US wealth is in housing, undercutting his affordability messaging.
  • "He continues to sort of talk himself into a corner... people feel the pinch in their pockets at the grocery store." — Domenico (08:13)

6. International Reaction: Middle Powers & Paradigm Shift (09:21)

• Mark Carney (Canada) at Davos:
  • "The middle powers must act together because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu."
  • Carney calls the current global moment a "rupture" in the international order, not just a slow evolution.
• Danielle’s Analysis:
  • Middle powers are alert that their fate may be less secure if the U.S. abandons its traditional alliances.

On-the-Ground Perspectives: Denmark & Greenland

1. Congressional Outreach (Barbara’s Reporting, 11:30)

• Bipartisan U.S. delegation met with Danish/Greenlandic officials aiming to cool tensions.
• Delegation refuted Trump’s claim that Russia/China are about to "encircle" Greenland.
• U.S. lawmakers stress economic and security alliances still matter deeply.

2. American and Danish Public Opinion

• U.S.:
  • Polls: 72% opposed to acquiring Greenland; only 9% in favor. (13:45)
  • Host notes anything over 70% rejection signals broad, bipartisan disapproval.
• Denmark:
  • Sentiments of betrayal, sadness, and grief widely expressed.
  • Recent large protest in Copenhagen: “Make America Go Away” hats signaled both humor and deep upset.
  • "I'm just so offended. Not only that your country is saying that you're going to take my country, but that anyone could pretend to take ownership of a land." — Unnamed Greenlander recounted by Barbara (15:24)
  • Peter Jensen, protestor: "Remember that we love America... but the present administration is just making chaos." (16:48-16:51)

3. Indigenous and Military Perspectives

• Greenlandic conceptions of land ownership differ fundamentally from U.S. property norms.
• Danish military: strong sense of alliance with U.S. post-9/11, significant sacrifices in Afghanistan.
• NATO’s mutual defense principle (Article 5) invoked:
  • "Denmark lost more soldiers per capita than the US did in Afghanistan. ...It is embedded in the mem[ory]." — Barbara (18:50)

Political Fallout: Domestic Implications

1. Potential Republican Dissent

• Some Republicans quietly dismayed, even if vocal dissent is rare.
• Senator Lisa Murkowski: underscores that even just two GOP senators on the delegation “doesn’t mean that there aren’t more Republicans” who disagree with Trump. (19:48)

2. Broader Risks to U.S. Alliances

• Fears: Trump’s stance could drive Europe toward alternate alliances (e.g., China) if U.S. is seen as unreliable or hostile.
• Domenico: "That’s just how Trump has changed this sort of new world order." (17:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Military & Greenland:
  "I could use force... frankly, unstoppable. But I won't do that." (01:44)
• On Trump’s Unpredictability:
  "We don't know what's in Trump's head. ...very unpredictable." — Danielle (03:43)
• Strongman Doctrine:
  "A regional territorial strongman kind of view that the United States is in charge of the Western Hemisphere." — Domenico (05:11)
• Middle Powers' Dilemma:
  "If we're not at the table, we're on the menu." — Mark Carney (09:21)
• Danish Protestor:
  "Remember that we love America... but the present administration is just making chaos." — Peter Jensen (16:48)
• Sen. Lisa Murkowski:
  "Just because there's only two of us here doesn't mean there aren't more Republicans ...that feel the way we do." (19:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump’s Speech at Davos: 00:15 – 04:25
• Trump’s Greenland Comments (audio): 01:44
• Interpreting Trump’s Remarks: 02:50 – 05:50
• Affordability Policy Analysis: 07:23 – 09:07
• International Response & Carney Quote: 09:07 – 10:37
• Reporting from Denmark/Greenland, Protest Sentiment: 11:30 – 16:51
• Military & Indigenous Perspectives: 18:11 – 19:12
• Potential GOP Shift: 19:15 – 20:20

Overall Tone and Takeaway

The episode features NPR’s signature analytical, slightly wry tone, offering both factual breakdown and real-time assessment of an unprecedented presidency. The hosts express concern about Trump’s unpredictability and the erosion of old alliances but avoid alarmism, grounding their critique in both policy substance and on-the-ground reporting from Europe.

For listeners, this episode offers a comprehensive picture of how an off-the-cuff Trump remark at an international summit can reverberate across domestic politics, diplomatic corridors, financial markets, and the streets of Copenhagen.