Trump mixes up Greenland and Iceland four times in Davos speech on NATO and Arctic issues

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: President Donald Trump appeared to mix up Greenland and Iceland several times while speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday, January 21.

During remarks about Greenland, Trump said, “I’m helping NATO, and until the last few days, when I told them about Iceland, they loved me.” The comment highlighted his frustration with NATO allies who have criticized his efforts to take control of Greenland. He later appeared to blame a stock market dip on “Iceland” again.

The apparent slip-ups did not occur just once. Trump referred to “Iceland” instead of Greenland four times while speaking in Davos, even as he discussed the NATO territory he has expressed interest in controlling. 

Trump mixes Iceland, Greenland in NATO remarks

Iceland and Greenland are geographically close, but Greenland is nearly 20 times larger. Both are NATO members. Their proximity may help explain why Trump repeatedly referred to Greenland as Iceland during his remarks.

While addressing market concerns tied to Greenland, Trump claimed, “They're not there for us on Iceland, that I can tell you. I mean, our stock market took the first dip yesterday because of Iceland. So Iceland's already cost us a lot of money.”

He also revisited a June exchange involving NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Trump said he was once labeled the “daddy” of NATO, recalling, “They called me 'daddy' last time. Very smart man said, 'He's our daddy. He's running (NATO).' I was, like, running it. I went from running it to being a terrible human being."

Trump concluded by downplaying the scale of his request. He described it as “a piece of ice, cold and poorly located, that can play a vital role in world peace and world protection,” calling it “a very small ask compared to what we have given (NATO) for many, many decades.”

White House denies Trump mixed Greenland, Iceland

The White House disputed allegations that Trump mixed up Greenland and Iceland during his remarks. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to a post by NewsNation correspondent Libbey Dean on X (formerly Twitter) that questioned the president’s wording, writing, "No he didn't, Libby (sic). His written remarks referred to Greenland as a 'piece of ice' because that's what it is. You're the only one mixing anything up here."

PEOPLE later asked the White House to comment on four instances in which Trump was heard saying “Iceland.” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers defended the president’s remarks and the broader message of the address.

“President Trump delivered a historic speech in Davos laying out America’s compelling national security interests involving Greenland. Mere hours afterward, President Trump announced the framework for a future deal with respect to Greenland. President Trump continues to deliver results while the failing, liberal media melts down.”