Donald Trump accused of 'weakening America' as CBS' Tony Dokoupil halts show for update
Story by Chiara Fiorillo, Mirror, January 22, 2026
Donald Trump has been accused of "weakening America" after CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil halted his show to share an update on the president's push for the United States to get control over Greenland.
Last night, the 45-year-old TV host spoke to his colleague Margaret Brennan, 45, after the president scrapped the tariffs he had threatened to impose on eight European nations in a huge reversal shortly after insisting he wanted to get Greenland "including right, title and ownership." In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had agreed with the head of NATO on a "framework of a future deal" on Arctic security, potentially defusing tension that had far-reaching geopolitical implications.
The Republican politician, 79, didn't share further details on the supposed deal, saying they were still being worked out. On CBS Evening News last night, Dokoupil and Brennan discussed the latest developments. After the TV anchor asked the journalist what she knew about the deal Trump mentioned, she replied, "Well, Tony, there is no diplomatic deal for US ownership or control of Greenland. That is still a red line for both Denmark and Greenland.
On the Greenland issue, Brennan continued: "But today, a breakthrough was reached in terms of President Trump signaling that he's willing to consider a middle ground proposal from NATO." Brennan went on to explain, "Diplomatic sources tell me there is a framework that would ramp up security on Greenland beyond the existing 1951 US agreement. That's back when the US had multiple military bases there.
"This would also increase NATO's role with the specific intent of blocking Russia and China from gaining a foothold. But this all has to be negotiated still with Denmark and Greenland."
Dokoupil then said, "Yeah, there is a lot of work still to do. Margaret, the president has been critical of NATO, critical of Europe, for years now. But you still hear people saying that they were shocked, stunned even, by the president's pursuit of Greenland and that speech today. What makes this feel different?"
"Well, Tony, the criticism turned to actual threats," said Brennan. "And keep in mind, America projects power around the world by keeping troops located on the soil of many of those same NATO countries. The US keeps nuclear weapons in five of them. That is how interlinked our security is and trust is fundamental to it."
She continued, "But there at Davos, you're seeing leaders agree. The post-World War II rules based order is done. Canada's prime minister basically said, we're going back to might makes right. He described a rupture in the world order and a new one in which China is a more, as he put it, predictable partner than the United States.
"He's basically saying, America's chief adversary here is finding opportunity by picking off our allies based on their own self-interest." Dokoupil concluded, "It was a big day, Margaret. Thank you very much."
The pair's exchange was shared by the official profile of CBS Evening News on Instagram, with the caption, "While Trump claims a breakthrough on U.S. control of Greenland, diplomatic sources tell CBS News there is no such deal. There is a framework proposal that would expand security for the Arctic territory beyond the existing 1951 U.S. agreement. @marg_brennan has more."
But in the comment section, many viewers criticized Trump as one wrote, "Weakening America! Even Italy is threatening to close its American bases especially access to the Mediterranean bases. America should make nice or the Sixth Fleet needs to have a close look at other bases."
Another wrote, "Even when he's trying to wiggle out of the mess he created he still lies .. framework is just like his saying 2020 was rigged. He'll never admit he's wrong or lost."
A third commented, "Middle ground? As we know all too well, trump is a non-negotiator. He's selfish, single- minded and incapable of compromising. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders (and the Danish)." Someone else added, "Make America Trumpless Again (MATA) – This is not the United States of Donald Trump."
Trump's change of heart on tariffs came after he used his speech at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps to focus on Greenland and threatened to upend NATO, an alliance that has been among the globe's most unshakable since the early days of the Cold War. In his address, Trump said he was asking for territory that was "cold and poorly located" and that the U.S. had effectively saved Europe during World War II while declaring of NATO, "It's a very small ask compared to what we have given them for many, many decades."
"We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be frankly unstoppable. But I won't do that, okay?" Trump said. But Trump has also said repeatedly that, while the U.S. will defend NATO, he wasn't convinced the alliance will backup Washington, if needed, and suggested that was at least part of the reason for his aggressive stance toward Greenland.
That prompted NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in a post-speech event with Trump, to say that the alliance would stand with the U.S. if it is attacked. "You can be assured, absolutely," Rutte said. A short time later came Trump's post canceling the tariffs.
Donald Trump accused of 'weakening America' as CBS' Tony Dokoupil halts show for update
In the event of an attack on any NATO country, it's not a given that the US will take military action.
NATO's Article 5 Obligations, Explained
NATO's Article 5 obligates members to consult with each other on a military response to an armed attack on one or more of them. This obligation is designed to ensure collective defense and security within the North Atlantic area. However, it does not require unanimous agreement to invoke collective defense, as the North Atlantic Council makes the determination, and each member decides individually what action it deems necessary. This flexibility allows for a range of responses, including military action, sanctions, or diplomatic measures. The invocation of Article 5 is a significant aspect of NATO's structure and function, reflecting its commitment to collective defense and the collective self-defense rights of its members.
Rutte says Trump Greenland plan involved no sovereignty talk
Greenland was nothing but a distraction which is a constant feature of the administration's attempts to remain in the media spotlight. The US already has the NATO treaty and the 1951 agreement with Denmark to expand military facilities in Greenland. The only Chinese company in Greenland stopped exploration activities as it's been stripped of mining rights several years ago. The tech companies with interests in Greenland will have to find qualified partners to obtain licenses to develop their properties. |
