What it was like to be in the room with Donald Trump in Davos

I was in the room, and just saw President Trump come in and it’s fair to say he got a great welcome from the crowd, certainly at first. A standing ovation.

On top of that, there was a strange scrum to try to get into, which turned many away – even heads of state.

And the security was incredible, not allowing even some of the most famous attendees in or out of the hall.

But, a few minutes into the speech, Trump kept his cool – even dropping phrases about wanting the UK to “do better”.

What some thought was the day when the US president laid down the laws of his new global economy was filled with grandfatherly advice.

It was a far cry from the mildly threatening tone of his social media posts claiming that Greenland would become America.

But which is the real Donald Trump? Has he heard how harsh some of his rhetoric is?

As I entered, I was told about a strange event last night where Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told the audience that, in terms of the European economy, “you’re dead”.

There was a walkout. Maybe there is one now? He seems to avoid that.

At first, I thought Trump was trying to put on a diplomatic front, perhaps hearing some of the critical criticism leveled against him and trying to be gentle.

He spoke in friendly terms about western allies who were increasingly troubled by his social media posts.

He even acknowledged that he probably shouldn’t be talking about the controversial Greenland issue – which he has always promised to take down.

But, almost as if he couldn’t help it, the speech seemed to take a dark turn.

He first described America’s role in helping Greenland in the past, including Denmark’s friendship.

But he insulted Europe’s biggest economy, saying everyone in the chamber would be “speaking German” if it weren’t for the US. And then it came.

He announced that he was looking for immediate negotiations for the USA to get Greenland.

A negotiated settlement he said. No force is required. But the US requires “full title”.

“We want this land” to build “the biggest Golden Dome ever built” he said.

And he warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney about his words the other day, even stressing that he would also use Greenland to defend Canada.

“I’m asking for ice.. it’s a very small question.”

It’s incredible to see this spoken out loud.

There is high security, high stakes and high tension in the Alps for the arrival of the would-be sheriff of the world, announcing his new rules.

The reaction in the room was mixed.

The president’s attempts at beauty seem to have won him polite applause. But as he went from licked elections to his anger at other leaders at the Davos talks, others sat in disbelief.

Although he promised not to invade Greenland, many were stunned by his attempts to persuade Europe to cede the territory.

Gavin Newsom, the Democrat Governor of California said the speech was TACO Tuesday, a reference to the “Trump always chickens out” catchphrase used to mock the president.

He argued that Trump backed down after a strong push from President Macron and Mark Carney

A key Republican senator, Thomas Tillis, said the president’s pursuit of Greenland, even a negotiated annexation, does not have the support of Congress.

So while Trump has tried to lower tensions, he’s still criticized allies — including personal attacks on leaders.

And while he promised not to invade Greenland, he still said it would be part of the new America – and that the world should thank him for it.

The talk may finally be over, but we’ll be talking about it for a long time to come.