Trump arrives in Davos after delay with Air Force One; Europe rebuffs Greenland push
President Donald Trump’s arrival in Davos was delayed just hours before his high-stakes global speech after a reported electrical issue forced a last-minute plane switch.
Plus, European leaders are lining up to tell Trump to keep his hands off Greenland, setting the stage for a tense showdown as he lands in Switzerland.
And the DOJ is now investigating whether Minnesota’s governor, attorney general and Minneapolis mayor are illegally blocking ICE from enforcing immigration laws in the Twin Cities.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Trump’s Davos arrival delayed after Air Force One turns back over ‘minor electrical issue’
President Donald Trump’s arrival ahead of his highly-anticipated speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos was delayed.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is already in Davos, said the president will be there “about three hours late” after Air Force One was forced to turn around over what the White House called a “minor electrical issue.”
Instead of his usual jet, Trump flew on the plane he normally uses for domestic trips to smaller airports. That flight took off shortly after midnight. He landed in Zurich just before 7:30 am ET.
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ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 21: U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One as he arrives at Zurich Airport before attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, on January 21, 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump’s vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) -
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 21: U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One as he arrives at Zurich Airport before attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, on January 21, 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland. The annual meeting of political and business leaders comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over a range of issues, including Trump’s vow to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Ahead of the departure, the president struck an optimistic tone.
“So I’m going to Davos. I believe it’ll be very successful, the trip,” Trump said. “This will be an interesting trip. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but you are well represented.”
In Davos, Trump is set to lay out his vision for America’s future, including his administration’s push to take control of Greenland.
That effort has put him increasingly at odds with NATO countries and European leaders.
But the president says he’ll meet with “various parties” about Greenland on the sidelines of the forum.
Ahead of the trip, Trump also made a rare, and, at times, unusual, appearance in the White House briefing room on the anniversary of his second inauguration. There, he doubled down on his threats over Greenland.
“I think that we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy, but we need it for security purposes,” Trump said. “We need it for national security and even world security.”
And in another moment that’s drawing attention, the president also touted his administration’s first-year record.
Among the accomplishments he cited were border enforcement actions, economic growth and foreign policy moves.
Greenland prepares for possible conflict in wake of Trump’s comments
As Trump prepares to take the stage in Davos, a very different story is taking shape around him.
For weeks, he’s threatened to impose tariffs and pushed to take Greenland.
Now, some leaders are starting to push back.
In Greenland, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen says an American use of force is “not likely” but cannot be ruled out.
Officials there are reviewing civil defense plans.
And protests are growing in Nuuk, Greenland, against any American occupation.
In Brussels, a Danish lawmaker unloaded on Trump from the floor of parliament. Anders Vistisen told the president, “F— off.”
Parliament quickly cut him off, but the message landed.
In Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Europe will not capitulate, and said the continent now has the means to fight back.
“Europe has very strong tools now, and we have to use them when we are not respected, and when the rules of the game are not respected by the way,” Macron said.
Macron called Trump’s tariff threats of 10-25% “bullying” and warned that Europe will not accept pressure over its sovereignty.
However, the sharpest criticisms came from an American.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who many believe has eyes on a presidential run in 2028, is in Davos. He called Europe’s response “embarrassing” and urged leaders to quote “Have a backbone.”
“I can’t take this complicity. People rolling over. I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders. I mean, handing out crowns and handing out, I mean, this is pathetic. Nobel prizes, they’re being given away. I mean, it’s just pathetic. And I hope people understand how pathetic they look on the world stage.”
All of this comes just hours before Trump is set to give his big speech.
Justice Department subpoenas Minnesota officials over alleged conspiracy against immigration efforts
The Trump Justice Department is zeroing in on top Minnesota officials, serving grand jury subpoenas as part of a federal investigation into whether they obstructed immigration enforcement.
Federal prosecutors have served subpoenas to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, State Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, along with officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties. It all comes as part of a grand jury probe into alleged obstruction of federal immigration officers.
The Justice Department is examining whether public statements or actions by these officials hindered immigration enforcement efforts during a sweep in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, according to federal sources.
Both Walz and Frey have pushed back, calling the investigation a political tactic aimed at silencing opponents. They added that they were simply voicing concerns about the presence of federal agents in their communities.
The subpoenas come amid widespread protests in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer earlier this month. It was an incident that intensified clashes between state and federal officials.
Halligan departs US Attorney role, judge’s order forces exit
One of Trump’s selected prosecutors has lost her position just hours after a federal judge described her attempt to stay in office as a “charade.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Lindsey Halligan has left the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia after a judge barred her from using the title U.S. Attorney and warned that she was defying a binding court order.
Bondi announced Halligan’s departure late Tuesday on social media, calling it a “significant loss” and blaming Virginia’s two Democratic senators for blocking her confirmation.
Earlier in the day, U.S. District Judge David Novak shut down Halligan’s continued use of the U.S. Attorney title, saying in an 18-page ruling that it “may not continue” and calling it a false statement made in direct defiance of the court.
“In short, this charade of Ms. Halligan masquerading as the United States Attorney must come to an end,” Novak wrote.
Halligan was installed last fall and quickly indicted former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. However, these cases were later dismissed after a judge ruled her appointment unconstitutional.
The Justice Department has appealed, but Novak said the ruling still stands as the law of the district.
The court had already begun seeking applicants to replace Halligan after her 120-day interim term expired Tuesday.
Netflix offers $72B all-cash deal for Warner Bros. Discovery
The fight to take over Warner Bros. Discovery took a sharp turn when Netflix revised its $72 billion offer, shifting to an all-cash deal. The company’s initial bid combined cash and stock — totaling approximately $83 billion — but it also included debt.
Netflix now claims it is simplifying its offer while attempting to ward off a hostile takeover by Paramount-Skydance, which has made an aggressive bid for the studio.
The Warner Bros. Discovery board has already rejected the Paramount Skydance offer, but the tug-of-war is far from over.
Next, a shareholder vote on Netflix’s all-cash transaction. This decision could determine who gains control of one of Hollywood’s largest empires.
Naomi Osaka wins first-round match at Australian Open after grand entrance
In a show of style and confidence, Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka walked onto one of the sport’s biggest stages wearing an outfit featuring a parasol, hat and veil ahead of her first-round match at the Australian Open.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 20: Naomi Osaka of Japan walks onto the court to play against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia in the first round on Day 3 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images) -
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 20: Naomi Osaka of Japan walks onto the court to play against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia in the first round on Day 3 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images) -
Japan’s Naomi Osaka walks onto the court wearing a Robert Wun designed outfit to face Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic during their women’s singles match on day three of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2026. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP via Getty Images) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — -
Japan’s Naomi Osaka carries her Robert Wun designed outfit as she leaves the court after beating Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic in their women’s singles match on day three of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2026. (Photo by IZHAR KHAN / AFP via Getty Images) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —
Osaka mentioned that her look was inspired by a jellyfish, which made her 2-year-old daughter excited while they were reading together.
She took the idea to her Nike team and to designer Robert Wun, who told Vogue he’s “a huge tennis fan” and jumped on board right away. Wun even called back to a moment from the 2021 Australian Open when a butterfly landed on Osaka mid-match. This time, Wun added butterflies to Osaka’s hat and umbrella.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 20: Naomi Osaka of Japan returns a shot in the Women’s Singles first round match against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia on day 3 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Huang Shangyue/VCG via Getty Images) -
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 20: Naomi Osaka of Japan plays a backhand in the Women’s Singles First Round match against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia during day three of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images) -
Japan’s Naomi Osaka (L) shakes hands with Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic after their women’s singles match on day three of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2026. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP via Getty Images) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — -
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 20: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts in the Women’s Singles First Round match against Antonia Ruzic of Croatia during day three of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
Osaka backed up her style and confidence on the court, defeating Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic in three sets: 6-3, 3-6 and 6-4.
Osaka said she’s now treating every major tournament like it’s the Met Gala in New York.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
