Transatlantic relations have been seriously undermined by President Donald Trump's deceptive statements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, according to Elizabeth Graham, author of the bestselling ebook "From Democracy to Democrazy" and a former CIA operative with deep expertise on Russia. In a recent Substack post titled 'Deception At Davos,' Graham analyzed Trump's speech and its implications for Europe and global security.
Graham, who lived under communism in the Soviet Union and later became bicultural, noted that European leaders were attentive to Trump's remarks but may not fully grasp his deceptive tactics. Trump's proposal regarding Greenland, which he has suggested taking "by force if necessary," has reached a level of tension that officials describe as unprecedented. Graham argues that Trump's words are used to con others, with no intention of honesty. She points to his handling of Venezuela as a parallel: Trump announced that he will manage the country and control its oil industry, a move she describes as a deceptive grab for resources.
The situation in Greenland, Graham warns, is analogous. Greenland possesses abundant rare earth minerals critical for manufacturing magnets used in aircraft engines, electric cars, and defense technology. As noted in Wikipedia, China dominates the global rare earth magnet market, and following Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods, China imposed export controls on rare earth materials. Trump's push to own Greenland is a bid to secure alternative supply chains, though he disguises it as a security necessity. Graham cautions that this mirrors his seizure of Venezuela through treachery and deception.
Graham also highlights the humanitarian crisis resulting from the closure of USAID, which she says has led to a genocide in Africa with a death toll possibly as high as 14 million, according to NPR. She asserts that Trump is responsible for these atrocities. Furthermore, she notes that Trump and his family have received $1.4 billion from his presidency, as reported by PBS, characterizing him as a con man who manipulates the system for personal gain.
Graham urges Europe to stand firm and not permit Trump to gain ownership of Greenland. She warns that if Europe acquiesces, it is uncertain which country he might target next, potentially escalating to a conflict akin to World War III. Her analysis draws on her decades of experience studying Russia and her firsthand knowledge of life under dictatorship, which she shares on her Substack blog at egraham.substack.com. Her book 'From Democracy to Democrazy' is available on Amazon, and she has announced a new book, 'Survival: Democracy's Struggle To Survive,' featuring contributions from authors including Craig Unger and Charlie Sykes, set for release in 2026.
