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Soon: Trump Arrives in Davos as He Pressures Europe for Greenland; Denmark Sending Troops, Equipment to Greenland. Aired 6- 6:30a ET
Aired January 21, 2026 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[06:00:10]
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Good Wednesday morning, everyone. I'm Erica Hill, in for Audie Cornish.
Is President Trump walking into a diplomatic intervention at Davos? After a delayed start, he is set to arrive in Switzerland this morning. Just how will he handle the Greenland situation?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How far are you willing to go to acquire Greenland?
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: You'll find out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Are NATO allies ready to stand up to President Trump? Some American leaders say now is the time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM (D-CA): I should have brought a bunch of kneepads for all the world leaders.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Trump has his tariffs. Europe has the trade bazooka. Are we now firmly in a new era of economic warfare?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK CARNEY, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: Great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: We begin this morning in Davos, Switzerland, where President Trump is expected to arrive within the hour. The reception expected to be icy. And of course, we're not just talking about the weather.
His trip was delayed by several hours when Air Force One was forced to return to Washington mid-flight due to an electrical issue. The president then landed and boarded a new plane without incident.
When he does arrive in Switzerland, he'll be greeted by NATO and European allies who are sounding the alarm over a U.S. president who seems willing to rip up the transatlantic partnership in his bid to acquire Greenland.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT: It's, as well, a shift towards a world without rules, where international law is trampled underfoot, and where the only law that seems to matter is that of the strongest.
CARNEY: Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.
ANDERS VISTISEN, DANISH MEMBER OF E.U. PARLIAMENT: Let me put it in words you might understand. Mr. President, fuck off.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Well, the president, for his part, continuing his criticism, calling into question the European alliance and continuing to sow uncertainty, as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I did more for NATO than any other person, alive or dead.
The big fear I have with NATO is we spend tremendous amounts of money with NATO, and I know we'll come to their rescue, but I -- I just really do question whether or not they'll come to ours.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How far are you willing to go to acquire Greenland?
TRUMP: You'll find out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Joining me now in the group chat, Tal Kopan, deputy Washington bureau chief at "The Boston Globe"; Charlie Dent, former congressman and Republican from Pennsylvania; and Antjuan Seawright, Democratic strategist.
Before we launch in, I do want to note that NATO has, of course, come to the aid of the United States in the wake of 9/11, and it's important not to forget that.
And also, when we talk about that, Denmark, just once again, lost more troops per capita than any other country in terms of helping the U.S. abroad, certainly in Afghanistan.
Charlie, when we look at what is unfolding in this moment, what is at stake in Davos?
CHARLIE DENT, FORMER PENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN: What's at stake is -- is the world order. And what is stunning to me, that the United States of America led this
world order. We helped create it. We developed it with our friends and partners. We made Europe a better place, peaceful, prosperous and whole, after two world wars.
This is an insult to the Greatest Generation that fought so hard to make -- make this world a better place, preventing great power conflict.
And now we are throwing it all away. To what end? It is insane.
As the Canadian Prime Minister Carney just said, this is a rupture. This is not a transition. There will be consequences to this country economically, geopolitically. They're hedging against us, all these middle powers.
And they don't -- they -- they're de-risking from the United States, as well as China. I mean, this is where we are.
ANTJUAN SEAWRIGHT, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: I think it's important to note that Greenland has some of the world's largest rare untapped minerals and significant offshore oil reserves.
We know that Trump is about the business of Trump and strengthening the pocketbooks of his allies and partners and those who have been loyal to him and his family. I think that's No. 1, for table setting purposes.
I also think this, again, serves as a distraction for what's happening at home: the affordability crisis that this Republican president and this Republican majority have created.
And then thirdly, I think the president is intentionally trying to dismantle significant relationships that the United States has created over time so he can burn the house down and then go around the corner and out in the fire and say, I am the firefighter. Yet, I was the arsonist at the same time.
[06:05:08]
And this is just strategically how Trump has operated when he's been elected to office.
HILL: So, you see part of a larger plan here. When we look at it from the perspective of European leaders and not just European leaders, but you know, Mark Carney, as well, you were noting.
I want to play a little bit more of what he had to say, and then I want to bring you in on this, Tal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARNEY: It seems that every day we're reminded that we live in an era of great power rivalry, that the rules-based order is fading, that the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must. The middle powers must act together, because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Speaking to what we just heard from Charlie, what is your sense among world leaders of just how long not only this has been brewing, but how long it's been brewing for them, that they're now at the point where they are willing to be much more pointed publicly.
TAL KOPAN, DEPUTY WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, "THE BOSTON GLOBE": I mean, look at the past year we've had. The tariffs: on again, off again. I mean, even that it's sort of lost in the rear view at this point. How much of a global rupture, just that economic policy was and how much it has shaken them.
And they reached a deal and now Trump is putting it on again, putting tariffs on again in his bid to get Greenland. We're seeing use of the military in ways that I mean -- it's -- it's such small-ball reaction.
But to provoke Republicans in the Senate to send a warning message of, I don't know about this military intervention thing. I mean, for Republicans in the Senate, that's a big deal.
And so, you've already had this year of buildup of Trump just really being willing to, let's say, touch the stove on so many things.
So, you know, you have that kind of building. And you know, world leaders aren't, you know, oblivious to what's happening in the U.S. They know the midterms are coming.
Gavin Newsom, governor of California, very much presumed to be one of Trump's -- or one of the Republican Party's 2028 rivals, is out there sort of encouraging them to stand up. I mean, there's all this swirling in the ether.
And -- and I think they recognize that Trump has not reacted to people sort of giving him what he wants and move on. I mean, he really needs a show of strength to push him back.
DENT: But also --
HILL: Yes. Go ahead.
DENT: On the tariffs. You know, he -- the president is not using tariffs to deal with unfair trade practices. He's using tariffs to coerce and bully other countries into an imperialistic territorial expansion of the United States. I mean, this is -- this is insane.
SEAWRIGHT: But the question we have to ask, what happens when Donald Trump is scheduled to leave office? Notice my word "scheduled," because I'm one of those who do not believe he's going to leave when his time is up.
But what happens when Donald Trump is no longer in office, and the United States has to deal with the crisis he's created: the dismantling of relationships and how we govern countries that we have simply illegally invaded, in most people's eyes? KOPAN: And how do other countries react knowing that, yes, perhaps this president may leave office, but this president has shown that a future president could come to power again and rip up whatever.
HILL: Right. In four years, everything could change again. No matter. We have to leave this discussion here, but we are not done with the discussion, is the good news. The group chat is staying around.
Still ahead here on CNN THIS MORNING, a real warning about your Social Security data. Could it now be at risk? New filings reveal DOGE shared sensitive data on an unauthorized server.
Plus, the second family expecting a new addition.
And Denmark sending troops to Greenland as President Trump continues his threats to annex the country.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's a real estate guy. I mean, let's face it, when you do a real estate deal, nothing's for sale until it's for sale.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:13:22] HILL: Twelve, nearly 13 minutes past the hour here. Now five things to know to get your day going on this Wednesday.
The Trump administration admitting a DOGE employee shared Social Security data without approval. In a new court filing, the DOJ says the employee shared the information on an unauthorized server.
The Social Security administration, for its part, still not sure just what information was exposed.
Israel's prime minister will sit on President Trump's Board of Peace. Benjamin Netanyahu accepting that invitation to join the committee, which is set to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza.
Turned out, though, that Trump may have bigger aspirations for that board.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you want your Board of Peace to replace the U.N.?
TRUMP: Well, my -- I mean, the U.N. just hasn't been very helpful. I'm -- I'm a big fan of the U.N. potential, but it has never lived up to its potential.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Trump has sent invitations to leaders of dozens of countries to join that Board of Peace, including Russia and China.
Nurses on strike in New York City seeing some major support on the picket line Tuesday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D), NEW YORK CITY: This is about safe working conditions. This is about a fair contract. This is about dignity.
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): The people of this country are sick and tired of the greed in the healthcare industry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: New York City's mayor, Zohran Mamdani and, of course, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders there, rallying the roughly 15,000 nurses as negotiations have stalled.
The nurses are demanding safe staffing levels, protections from workplace violence, and no cuts to their health care benefits.
Congratulations are in order for the Vance family. Second lady Usha Vance and the vice president are expecting their fourth child this summer. It will be the first time a second lady has had a baby while in office.
[06:15:06]
Naomi Osaka making a statement at the Australian Open, walking onto the court in a jellyfish-inspired outfit which included, as you see here, a wide-brimmed hat, sheer veil, floor-length skirt and a parasol. The tennis star telling "Vogue" the outfit was inspired by a book she was reading to her young daughter, and it's also a nod to the players who came before her.
Osaka won her first round. She is set to play again tomorrow.
Ahead here after the break on CNN THIS MORNING, Denmark prepared for everything as President Trump continues to ramp up the pressure on Greenland.
Plus, former President Bill Clinton tries to avoid contempt charges over the Epstein scandal.
And a good morning to our friends in Pittsburgh at 15 minutes past the hour, now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:20:04'
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VISTISEN: Let me put it in words you might understand. Mr. President, fuck off.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: A blunt message there for President Trump from a member of the European Parliament. The president's push to annex Greenland has the E.U. increasingly on edge and also mobilizing for potential military action by the United States.
Denmark now sending troops to Greenland, along with equipment and advisors to strengthen the emergency preparedness.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENS-FREDERIK NIELSEN, GREENLAND PRIME MINISTER (through translator): It's not likely that there will be a use of military force, but it's not been ruled out yet. This leader from the other side has made it very clear that it is not ruled out, and therefore we must, of course, be prepared for everything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: CNN's Melissa Bell is joining us now with the very latest from Paris. So, in terms of this preparation for a worst-case scenario, just how serious is it at this point, Melissa?
MELISSA BELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think what the Europeans have been wanting to show is their determination to stand firm against what you've -- as you've just heard in some of those clips, they regard as increasing levels of bullying from the American president.
What we heard also in Davos yesterday was the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, Erica, explaining that Europe is not only standing firm alongside Denmark in its determination to protect the sovereignty of Greenland, it is also going to be making extra investments in the Arctic islands.
So, Europe really coming together to show remarkable unity on this.
In a few hours' time, of course, we're going to have the speech from President Trump, much awaited at Davos. He's heading there even now with a little delay as a result of that malfunction. His plane with the largest ever American delegation to head to the World Economic Forum.
And they are keenly awaited, particularly on the question of Greenland, but also now, of course, in this second phase of the war between the United States and Europe on tariffs.
Have a listen to what the Belgian prime minister had to say yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BART DE WEVER, BELGIUM PRIME MINISTER: Until now, we tried to appease the new president in the White House. But now, so many red lines are being crossed that you have the choice between your self-respect. Being a happy vassal is one thing. Being a miserable slave is something else. (END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: So, there is the question, even assuming that the meeting later today between the United States and those European leaders who have sent troops to Denmark in a show of solidarity -- to Greenland, rather, in a show of solidarity for Denmark. Even assuming some kind of agreement and off-ramps are being discussed even now within NATO that might allow this crisis to be defused.
Even assuming that a -- a solution, a compromise that would allow, say, greater number of troops, American troops to be positioned in Greenland, some kind of commercial benefit. Even then, the question of the tariffs and the damage done to the transatlantic relationship is going to be on the minds of everyone at Davos today, Erica.
HILL: Yes. Yes, hard for it not to be.
Melissa, really appreciate it. Thank you.
Still ahead here, the DOJ investigation into Minnesota continues. So, could there be arrests on the horizon?
Plus, financial markets rattled. The Dow showing its worst day since October yesterday. So, how are the markets looking? We'll take a look at futures ahead of the president's speech at Davos.
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[06:28:07]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: So, I'm going to Davos. I believe it will be very successful, the trip. This will be an interesting trip. I have no idea what's going to happen. But you are well-represented.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: President Trump's trip to Davos actually delayed. He's on his way there now, set to arrive within the hour.
But Air Force One was forced to turn around after takeoff last night due to a minor electrical issue. The president boarded a new plane. And as I noted, should be landing soon. We're keeping an eye on that.
Meantime, great to have all of you with us on this Wednesday morning. It is 28 minutes past the hour here in Washington, D.C. Here's a look at what's happening right now.
A top ICE official refusing to say whether the agent who shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month is on leave. He was asked directly about the agent's status on Tuesday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARCOS CHARLES, The officer that was involved in the shooting last week or two weeks ago now, he's recovering. He's at home recovering.
He's right now -- he's at home recovering. I'll leave it at that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: So, there you go. Recovering. But what is not clear is whether Jonathan Ross actually remains on active duty or is under any sort of investigation.
We do know, of course, the DOJ opened and they quickly closed an investigation into him in the aftermath of the shooting.
Today, the House Oversight Committee is moving forward with holding Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt after they refused to appear before the committee to testify in the Jeffrey Epstein probe.
Yesterday, the former president offered to sit for a limited interview. The chair of the committee, however, called that offer unreasonable.
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments today on the president's effort to fire Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook. It poses a key test for the court of the independence of an agency with broad power over the American economy.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to attend today's hearing.
The Justice Department, meantime, is hitting at least five Minnesota officials with subpoenas, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, as well as the state's attorney general, Keith Ellison, the mayor of Saint Paul, and a local county attorney.
It's all part of a federal investigation, we're told, into alleged obstruction of immigration enforcement efforts. And it comes as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem --
[06:30:00]
