Overview of 151. The Greenland Crisis, NATO’s Future, and ‘Reality TV’ Diplomacy with Senator Chris Coons
This episode of The Rest Is Politics (US) features hosts Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci interviewing Senator Chris Coons (D–DE) in Davos about his recent bipartisan trip to Copenhagen to assess international fallout from reports the Trump administration considered buying Greenland. The conversation covers Danish and Greenlandic reactions, broader risks to NATO and EU relations, the administration’s “reality TV” style of diplomacy, ways Congress and the courts have constrained presidential actions, and what Democrats should do to regain political traction at home.
Key topics discussed
- Immediate reaction in Denmark and Greenland to U.S. interest in Greenland:
- Greenlandic officials expressed fear and a sense of imminent threat affecting families and children.
- Danish leaders and citizens felt offended and betrayed given a long alliance with the U.S.
- Official position: Denmark and Greenland will not sell Greenland.
- Political and Senate dynamics:
- Bipartisan concern in the Senate; Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski publicly opposed the idea.
- Coons argues more Republican senators must take risks to check the administration.
- Diplomacy described as “reality TV”:
- The administration’s dramatic, attention-grabbing moves can distract, escalate, and harm alliances.
- National security strategy concerns:
- Coons criticizes a lack of clear framing of China and Russia as primary adversaries in recent strategy documents.
- Legal and institutional checks:
- Democrats and allied litigants have filed ~500 federal cases against Trump administration actions, winning about 75% according to Coons — often restoring programs and funds after litigation.
- Domestic politics and messaging:
- Cost of living (housing, healthcare, groceries) remains the dominant voter concern; Democrats need simple, affirmative messaging and a few concrete bills focused on security, opportunity, and justice.
- Risks to global order:
- Potential erosion of NATO, strained EU relations, and tariff fights could have deep strategic and economic consequences comparable in scale to historic crises (e.g., Smoot–Hawley).
Main takeaways
- Diplomatic fallout is real: Danish and Greenlandic leaders feel betrayed and alarmed; unified European pushback could de-escalate matters.
- Congressional pushback matters: bipartisan Senate dissent can slow or deter ill-considered policy, but requires more Republicans willing to break with the president.
- Institutional constraints exist: lawsuits and administrative checks have curtailed many presidential actions, though those wins receive less public attention than headline-grabbing policy announcements.
- The administration’s style (public stunts, selective military strikes) both distracts from domestic issues and risks long-term loss of allied trust—weakening U.S. leverage against strategic rivals like China and Russia.
- Democrats need a clearer, people-focused narrative (cost-of-living relief, healthcare and retirement security, humane immigration reform, public safety) to regain ground.
Notable quotes & data points
- Coons: “It’s a little bit like a reality television show.” (on the administration’s diplomatic style)
- Coons on alliances: “We cannot possibly successfully stand up to China and Russia…without allies and partners.”
- Litigation: “In federal court, there have been 500 cases filed against the actions of the Trump administration…[and] they’ve won 75% of those cases.” (Democrats’ legal challenges have repeatedly checked administration actions)
- Polling cited: broad public disapproval of the Greenland threats (Coons referenced roughly 75% overall disapproval and about 50% of Republicans in recent polling).
Implications and recommendations
- For U.S. lawmakers:
- Republicans who value alliances should publicly and decisively counter actions that risk NATO/EU relationships.
- Democrats should present a compact, positive agenda on everyday economic issues to reconnect with voters.
- For European leaders:
- Adopt a unified public position and clearly communicate red lines to deter escalation.
- For voters and observers:
- Watch for how institutional checks (courts, Congressional oversight) continue to temper headline policy moves, and follow domestic policy proposals addressing cost-of-living priorities.
Participants and context
- Guest: Senator Chris Coons (D–Delaware), fresh from a bipartisan congressional delegation to Copenhagen and meetings with Danish and Greenlandic officials.
- Hosts: Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci.
- Recorded at: Davos, during the World Economic Forum.
This episode blends immediate reporting from a diplomatic trip with broader analysis of how performative politics, legal checks, and policy messaging interact to shape U.S. foreign and domestic outcomes.