Andy Beshear slams Trump’s Davos speech on Greenland and economy: 'Disrespectful and unhinged'

FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY: Governor Andy Beshear sharply criticized President Donald Trump's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, January 21. Speaking to a global gathering of political and business leaders, Trump addressed the US economy and the strategic importance of Greenland, prompting Beshear to voice concerns about the tone and content of the remarks.

Beshear shared a statement on X, labeling the speech as “dangerous, disrespectful and unhinged.” He argued that Trump’s repeated disparagement of allies and self-praise on economic achievements could have serious implications for American families and national security.

Andy Beshear’s criticism of Trump’s Davos remarks

Beshear publicly rebuked Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum, calling it “dangerous, disrespectful and unhinged.” According to Beshear, the address included insults toward US allies and self-congratulatory claims that Trump “fixed inflation” while asserting the US economy was “amazing.”

He argued that such statements could harm both families’ financial security and US national security. Beshear also mocked Trump’s remarks about Greenland, saying the former president vastly overstated US influence in the Arctic. Beshear added, “Oh, and Greenland is so important he’s calling it Iceland.”

During his Davos address, Trump praised Greenland, stating he had “tremendous respect for the people of Greenland and Denmark,” but added that “no nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland, other than the United States.” He called for immediate negotiations to acquire the territory, stepping back from earlier hints that military force might be used.

Trump’s Greenland national security claims draw scrutiny

Trump justified the US interest in Greenland on national security grounds, saying, “We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be frankly unstoppable.” He later clarified, “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. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.”

Trump also accused Denmark of being “ungrateful” for US assistance during World War II, claiming the country “would be speaking German and a little Japanese, perhaps,” without US support.

Beshear was not alone in criticizing Trump’s speech. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who attended the event, described the Greenland remarks as “remarkably insignificant” and emphasized that negotiations over the island had already been underway. Newsom also criticized world leaders he said had catered to Trump, joking that they “should have brought kneepads.”