Trump Marks Anniversary with Defiant Press Briefing on Greenland, Economy, and Civil Unrest (Video)

WASHINGTON — On the first anniversary of his second inauguration, President Donald Trump dominated the White House briefing room Tuesday, delivering a sprawling, combative performance that touched on international territorial disputes, a burgeoning trade war with Europe, and simmering domestic tensions in Minnesota.

Standing behind the lectern with a thick stack of papers he labeled “Accomplishments,” the President signaled a presidency that has no intention of slowing down. The news conference served as a precursor to his high-stakes departure for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he is expected to confront world leaders over his controversial proposal to acquire Greenland.

The Greenland Gambit and the “Trade Bazooka”

The defining theme of the afternoon was the President’s escalating pressure on Denmark and its European allies to facilitate the U.S. acquisition of Greenland. Trump framed the pursuit as a matter of “National and World security,” arguing that the Arctic island is essential for his proposed “golden dome” missile shield and to prevent Russian or Chinese encroachment.

“Greenland is imperative,” Trump told reporters, doubling down on his weekend threat to impose a 10% tariff on eight European nations—including France, Germany, and the U.K.—that have resisted his plans. He warned that these tariffs could rise to 25% by June if a deal is not reached.

When asked how far he was willing to go to secure the territory—specifically if he would consider military force—the President remained evasive, stating only, “You’ll find out.”

The rhetoric has already sent shockwaves through the transatlantic alliance. In Brussels, European officials are reportedly weighing the use of an “anti-coercion instrument,” or “trade bazooka,” which would allow the EU to retaliate against American companies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the tariff threat a “mistake” between allies, while French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as “crazy.”

Davos and the Housing Crisis

Despite the looming shadow of a trade war, the President confirmed he will travel to Davos on Wednesday. While the global elite there are braced for a diplomatic emergency summit over Greenland, the White House maintains that Trump’s primary focus will be the American economy—specifically housing affordability.

“I’m going there to talk about the gilded age we’re building for everyone,” Trump said. He outlined a plan to lower home prices by removing private equity groups from the residential market and suggested the U.S. could buy back $200 billion in mortgage debt to lower interest rates.

However, critics were quick to point out the irony of discussing working-class housing in a town where the average vacation chalet costs over $4 million. “It’s the investors and billionaires at Davos who have his attention, not the families struggling to afford their bills,” said Alex Jacquez, a policy advocate at Groundwork Collaborative.

Economic Nationalism and “Tariff Checks”

On the domestic front, the President floated a novel economic proposal: using revenue from his proposed European and Chinese tariffs to send $2,000 checks directly to Americans.

Crucially, Trump claimed he could bypass the legislative branch to execute this. “I don’t think we would have to go the Congress route,” he asserted, despite warnings from his own economic advisers that such a move would require a formal act of Congress. He framed the plan as a way to “pay down debt” and provide immediate relief to middle-class families, though a recent Congressional Budget Office analysis suggested the bulk of the administration’s current tax policies continue to favor the top 10% of earners.

Confrontation in Minnesota

The briefing took a sharper tone when the President turned his attention to Minnesota. For weeks, the state has been the site of sustained protests against an intensive ICE immigration crackdown. President Trump lashed out at local leadership, specifically Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, following reports that his administration has opened criminal investigations into both officials.

“I can’t stand her,” Trump added, referring to Representative Ilhan Omar, whom he blamed for encouraging what he called “fraud schemes” in the state.

While the President claimed he had told officials to “lighten up” on non-criminal immigrants, the Pentagon has reportedly placed 1,500 soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division on standby for possible deployment to Minnesota. Trump did not rule out invoking the Insurrection Act to quell the protests, though he suggested he was “moving away” from the idea for the moment, provided local authorities “do their job.”

A Global Pivot

Throughout the hour-long appearance, Trump also touched on:

• The Nobel Peace Prize: He expressed frustration at not receiving the award, claiming he “saved millions of people” and accusing Norway of “controlling the shots” to spite him.
• The Chagos Islands: He criticized the U.K.’s decision to cede the archipelago to Mauritius as “great stupidity,” using it as a cautionary tale for why Denmark should not hold onto Greenland.
• The Panama Canal: When asked if reclaiming the canal was “on the table,” he replied, “Sort of.”

News Sources & Links

• Associated Press: Trump joins White House press briefing after latest Greenland and tariff threats
• CBS News: Trump speaks at White House press briefing to mark first year of second term
• PBS NewsHour: Surrounded by billionaires in Davos, Trump plans to lay out housing plan
• The Guardian: Trump says ‘there can be no going back’ on Greenland as messages leaked
• NPR: Politics Chat: Trump issues tariffs to pressure Greenland ahead of Davos
• The Hindu (via Reuters/AFP): Trump believes Greenland is essential for ‘golden dome’ shield