President Donald Trump held one of the longest briefings of his second term on Tuesday, using the occasion to reflect on his administration’s first year and promote what he described as major political and economic achievements. The nearly two-hour event came just before the president’s scheduled flight to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
A few minutes after departure, Air Force One was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews due to what officials called a “minor electrical issue.” A replacement aircraft was arranged to resume the trip later in the day, according to the White House.
Messaging, Accomplishments, and Self-Assessment
Standing beside a binder labeled “Accomplishments,” Trump rattled off a long list of policy moves ranging from defense spending increases to drug pricing reforms. He argued that the government’s economic posture had improved and declared that the U.S. stock market was “stronger than any time in history.”
Trump acknowledged the administration’s difficulty in shaping its public message, insisting that his record was stronger than media coverage suggested. He blamed “bad public relations people” for what he saw as insufficient public recognition of his achievements.
Among the accomplishments he highlighted were an expanded military footprint, new business investment agreements, and efforts to lower prescription drug prices. He also said that what he called “Biden-era stagflation” had ended during his first year back in office.
Greenland Controversy Returns to Forefront
The briefing took an unexpected geopolitical turn when Trump again floated the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. Trump declined to answer how far he would go to pursue the proposal, responding only, “You’ll find out,” while framing the island as strategically vital for Arctic competition with Russia and China.
European leaders have signaled opposition and are reportedly weighing retaliatory measures should the White House move forward with tariffs in response to resistance against the plan. Trump also expressed frustration over never receiving a Nobel Peace Prize, at one point suggesting Norway has undue influence over the process.
Wide-Ranging Q&A Touches NATO, Immigration, and Domestic Issues
During a lengthy question-and-answer period, Trump touched on a variety of foreign and domestic topics:
- He questioned NATO’s commitment to the United States and suggested the alliance does not offer symmetrical support.
- He floated a “Board of Peace” proposal related to Gaza, hinting that it could challenge the relevance of the United Nations.
- He indicated he may consider issuing $2,000 federal rebate checks from tariff revenue, a move that could raise legal and constitutional questions.
- He criticized transgender participation in women’s sports and reiterated concerns about immigration enforcement, saying officers had been told to “focus on criminals” but could still “make mistakes sometimes.”
- He dismissed renewed speculation about negotiating with imprisoned Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, saying his lawyers opposed the idea.
The briefing ended with Trump boarding the replacement aircraft for Switzerland, where he is expected to deliver a speech to global business and political leaders.
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