Trump delivers speech full of misinformation, exaggerations at Davos

• Trump’s Davos speech included multiple misleading or false claims on NATO, Greenland, China’s wind energy, and US housing and migration.
• Independent data and historical records show a large gap between his statements and verified facts.

In a high-profile return to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump delivered a speech packed with economic and political claims.

While his supporters applauded enthusiastically, the address raised serious questions about the accuracy of the information he presented, from NATO and Greenland to the US housing market and consumer prices. This report examines the key statements, comparing them with verified data to reveal the gap between political rhetoric and reality.

"You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember."

Trump opened his Davos address pressing European leaders on Greenland, emphasizing his negotiating style through tariff threats while promising not to use military force to acquire the island.

Greenland: Sovereignty and Military History

"We gave Greenland back to Denmark."

This statement is misleading. After Germany invaded Denmark during World War II, the United States assumed responsibility for Greenland’s defense and established a military presence that continues today, albeit in a reduced form. The US never formally possessed Greenland, so it could not have “given it back.”

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Trump was more accurate when he added, "We saved Greenland and successfully prevented our enemies from gaining a foothold in our hemisphere."

He also criticized Denmark’s defense spending, stating, "In 2019 Denmark said they would spend over $200 million to strengthen Greenland's defenses. But as you know, they spent less than 1% of that amount."
Reports confirm Denmark pledged around $200 million in 2019 but initially spent only a tiny fraction. In 2025, Denmark pledged $4 billion to upgrade Greenland’s military defenses. 

During the speech, Trump repeatedly referred to Iceland instead of Greenland on four occasions, highlighting factual confusion between the two Arctic nations.

NATO: Misleading Statements

"We've never gotten anything from NATO."

This claim is false. NATO invoked Article 5 after the September 11 attacks, activating allied support including Danish troops in Afghanistan, where 44 Danish soldiers were killed, the highest per capita among coalition members. Article 5 ensures that an armed attack on one member triggers support from all others, including armed assistance. 

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Regarding NATO’s strategic benefits, Trachtenberg noted that during the Cold War, NATO prevented the Soviets from exploiting Europe’s resources while avoiding West Germany acquiring nuclear weapons. "What we 'got' was a political system both sides could live with, an extraordinary accomplishment."

Migration and US Housing

"In 2025, for the first time in 50 years, the United States had reverse migration."

Misleading. Brookings Institute data show net migration was near zero or slightly negative, influenced by Trump’s immigration policies, but negative net migration previously occurred during the Great Depression (1931–1940). 

Renewable Energy: China

"China makes almost all of the windmills, and yet, I haven't been able to find any wind farms in China."

This statement is entirely false. China accounts for 44% of global wind farm capacity, nearly triple the US, and continues to expand rapidly. 

Economic Claims

Trump also presented sweeping economic claims regarding investments, fuel, and medication costs, often with exaggerated numbers:

• Claims of major savings on medications (800% reductions) are mathematically impossible.
• Investment numbers of $18 trillion were nearly double the verified figure of $9.6 trillion from official US sources.
• Fuel prices and grocery prices were selectively reported, creating a misleading impression of widespread decreases.

Trump’s 2026 Davos speech repeatedly relied on misleading statements, exaggerations, and factual errors. From NATO contributions and Greenland’s sovereignty to migration, housing, consumer prices, and renewable energy, verified data expose a stark contrast between political rhetoric and reality. Fact-based verification remains essential for assessing statements by high-profile international figures.