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World Cup demand sparks lodging scramble in Kansas City
Kansas City is preparing for a surge of visitors as it gets ready to host World Cup matches this summer, with hotel availability and short-term rentals already tightening months before the first game kicks off.
Tourism officials estimate hundreds of thousands of visitors could pass through the metro during the tournament, while the city has roughly 36,000 hotel rooms. Some of those rooms are under contract with FIFA and unavailable to the general public, adding pressure to an already competitive lodging market.
That demand is pushing some locals to take unusual steps. Adam Kinner, a short-term rental host who owns multiple properties in the Kansas City area, says he even plans to rent out his own home during the World Cup and move in with his parents.
FIFA RECEIVES RECORD 500 MILLION TICKETS REQUESTS FOR 2026 WORLD CUP
"I will actually be moving back into my parents' basement," Kinner told FOX. "The opportunity is just so large here that it would be silly not to take advantage of it."
STATE DEPT TO START ROLLING OUT FIFA PASS FOR FOREIGN SOCCER FANS LOOKING TO ATTEND WORLD CUP IN US
President and CEO for Visit Kansas City and the Kansas City Sports Commission, Kathy Nelson, says the city has been preparing for this moment for years and is closely monitoring hotel capacity as bookings accelerate.
"The energy, the excitement, the anticipation is unbelievable," Nelson said. "Everyone’s about to show up on our doorstep."
Nelson says Kansas City is one of the smallest host cities in the World Cup lineup, alongside major destinations like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, but officials are confident visitors will spread out across the region to find places to stay.
New hotel development is also racing the clock. A 45-room boutique hotel called River Market Hotel is set to open this spring, just weeks before matches begin. The hotel’s managing member, Mike Heitman, says the timing adds pressure but also opportunity.
"It’s exciting and scary at the same time," Heitman said. "There’s a good chance we will have been open by just a week or two."
Teen mass killer pleads guilty to NC rampage that left five dead, including brother, police officer
An 18-year-old admitted Wednesday to carrying out a 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina, which killed five people – including his older brother and a police officer – pleading guilty to murder and multiple other charges just days before trial.
The Associated Press reported that Austin David Thompson pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder, two counts each of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of assaulting an officer with a gun.
Thompson was 15 when prosecutors say he opened fire in his Raleigh neighborhood, killing Thompson’s brother James Thompson, along with 52-year-old Nicole Connors, 29-year-old Raleigh police officer Gabriel Torres, 34-year-old Mary Marshall and 49-year-old Susan Karnatz. He had been scheduled to face a state murder trial later this month before changing his plea.
Thompson’s lawyers announced Tuesday that he would plead guilty to all charges after months of pretrial motions seeking to restrict what evidence and testimony prosecutors could present. In court filings, his attorneys said avoiding a trial would "save the community and the victims from as much additional infliction of trauma as possible."
Wearing a quarter-zip sweater and slacks, Thompson offered few words as Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway questioned him and formally accepted the guilty pleas.
Ridgeway scheduled sentencing for Feb. 2, a hearing expected to span several days. Thompson and his attorney confirmed no plea deal was reached with prosecutors.
Because Thompson was a minor at the time of the shootings, he is not eligible for the death penalty. Ridgeway could impose life sentences without parole, though state law also allows for sentences that make him eligible for parole after at least 25 years. A recent ruling by state appeals judges capped the amount of time juvenile offenders must serve before becoming eligible for parole at 40 years.
TRIAL UNDERWAY FOR FORMER UVALDE SCHOOL POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF SLOW RESPONSE TO SHOOTING
The case was delayed while Thompson recovered from a gunshot wound that Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman has said was self-inflicted before his arrest, an injury his attorneys contend caused significant brain damage.
In court, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Latour outlined the evidence prosecutors would have presented at trial, describing the sequence of events on Oct. 13, 2022.
Latour said Thompson first shot and then repeatedly stabbed James inside the family’s home in the Hedingham neighborhood. Prosecutors said Thompson then moved through the neighborhood armed with a shotgun and a handgun, killing Connors and then Torres. Another neighbor was wounded and survived.
SIX KILLED IN SERIES OF MISSISSIPPI SHOOTINGS, INDIVIDUAL IN CUSTODY: REPORTS
Authorities said Thompson later continued the attack on a nearby greenway trail, where he fatally shot Marshall and Karnatz.
Police said officers eventually located Thompson near McConnell Oliver Drive, where he opened fire, wounding Raleigh Police Officer Casey Clark. Multiple officers returned fire, discharging about 23 rounds before Thompson was placed in handcuffs.
"At the time, he was wearing camouflage clothing and a backpack, and a handgun was in his waistband. The backpack contained various items, including several types of shotgun/rifle ammunition. A sheath for a large knife was found clipped to his belt, and a large hunting knife was found at the front of the outbuilding. A shotgun and shotgun shells were lying on the ground near him," Raleigh Police Chief Estella D. Patterson said in a report at the time.
NASHVILLE SHOOTER AUDREY HALE ALLEGEDLY USED FEDERAL STUDENT AID TO BUY GUNS FOR SCHOOL ATTACK
Wednesday’s hearing offered few new details about Thompson’s motive. His attorneys wrote this week that a brain injury suffered during the case has left him unable to explain why he carried out the shootings.
Latour said a note written by Thompson addressed why he killed his brother, but the contents were not disclosed in court and were ordered sealed. Latour also said investigators recovered records showing Thompson searched online for information about mass shootings and related topics, evidence the defense said could be challenged at sentencing.
Robert Steele, the fiancé of Marshall, said after the hearing that Thompson should be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
"That’s justice," Steele said. "He took five people’s lives; he tried to take two others."
In 2024, Thompson’s father pleaded guilty to improperly storing a handgun authorities said was found with his son after the attack and received a suspended sentence and probation.
Investigators also seized 11 firearms and 160 boxes of ammunition – some of them empty – from the Thompson home, according to search warrants. Latour said Thompson and his family were avid hunters.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Iran accused of sex assaults on teenage prisoners, while families charged to recover remains of loved ones
Reports have emerged from eyewitnesses in Iran alleging sexual assaults on teenagers held in custody, as well as authorities forcing families of those protesters killed to pay as much as 10 billion rials to recover their bodies.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI-US) also told Fox News Digital Wednesday that the "barbarity continues" across the nation, with prison detainees allegedly being killed and their bodies burned.
The reports came as Iran’s government claimed it had successfully crushed weeks of unrest that swept the country.
Beginning Dec. 28, the protests erupted amid deep public anger over political repression, economic hardship and state violence before rapidly expanding nationwide.
"The sedition is over now," Iran’s prosecutor general Mohammad Movahedi said, according to the judiciary’s Mizan News Agency.
"And we must be grateful, as always, to the people who extinguished this sedition by being in the field in a timely manner," he added, according to the New York Times.
The regime's claims emerged on day 25 of the protests with the number of confirmed fatalities reaching 4,902, and the number of deaths still under review standing at 9,387.
The total number of arrests has risen to 26,541, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said.
IRAN STATE TV HACKED TO SHOW EXILED CROWN PRINCE PAHLAVI
The France-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) also said it received information indicating that some families were forced to pay sums of up to 10 billion rials to recover the bodies of their relatives.
In many cases, funeral ceremonies were held under heavy security control in the hometowns of those killed.
Some families were reportedly subjected to threats and pressure to falsely attribute responsibility for the killings to protesters.
KHRN further said that two protesters, including a 16-year-old, said they were sexually assaulted by Iranian security forces who detained them in Kermanshah, according to reports.
G7 THREATENS IRAN WITH NEW SANCTIONS OVER NATIONWIDE PROTEST CRACKDOWN KILLING THOUSANDS
Meanwhile, NCRI’s Ali Safavi said eyewitnesses reported that "several young women and men were forced to undress, so the military could see whether they had pellet wounds."
"There has been barbarity with people who were detained. When they were killed, their bodies were burned," he added.
Safavi also said clashes continued in multiple cities Tuesday night, including "Kermanshah where protesters and armed units of the IRGC fought in parts of the city."
"There was the same in Rasht and Mashhad where the people and the regime will not return to the status quo even if the uprisings have slowed down. This is because of the blood of thousands of martyrs on their hands."
"The regime is still in power, and it won’t abandon brutal and bloody suppression so there is no pathway to a velvet revolution in Iran."
"The shoes and sneakers seen left along the sidewalks remind us of the 30,000 MEK members and Iranian prisoners who were hanged during the 1988 massacre based on a fatwa by Khomeini," Safavi added.
Disney's 'Snow White' is top contender for Razzie award for worst film of 2025
Disney’s 2025 live-action "Snow White" remake is currently tied as one of the top contenders for The Razzie Awards.
The Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as the Razzies, are a parody award show where members of the Golden Raspberry Foundation vote on what they deem to be the worst major films of the year.
In a press release, the Razzie Awards touted the upcoming 46th set of nominees, one of which was Disney’s remake of "Snow White." The award organization summarized that the movie was, "A slow-paced unnecessary re-imagining of a classic, filled with drawn-out musical numbers, dopey CGI dwarfs, and enough mediocrity to leave the audience in a very unhappy place."
Each film was nominated for multiple parody awards, and the 2025 "Snow White" remake was nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Remake, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, Worst Supporting Actor, and Worst Screen Combo, the latter two of which were specifically regarding the film’s computer-animated dwarfs.
GAL GADOT BLAMES ANTI-ISRAEL PRESSURE ON HOLLYWOOD FOR SNOW WHITE FLOP
At six award nominations, the film is only tied this year by the 2025 reimagining of "War of the Worlds," where Ice Cube plays a government employee who sees an alien invasion appear on his screen. The Razzies summarized that film as one where, "And if butchering an H.G. Wells classic by stringing together video chats, surveillance cams and FaceTime with panic attacks makes for a compelling film experience — please allow the robots to attack and get it over with!"
The award organization added further that "the 46th Razzie ‘Winners’ will be unveiled on "Oscar Eve" - Sat, March 14.
Disney’s "Snow White" reimagining of the 1937 animated classic went through years of controversies.
In 2022, Peter Dinklage contrasted Disney’s pro-diversity choice to cast a Hispanic actress in a European fairytale role while still telling a tale that is somewhat controversial to modern sensibilities, "You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that f------ backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f--- are you doing, man?"
Disney then reportedly responded in 2023, at least temporarily, by replacing the dwarfs with multiracial and gender-mixed "magical creatures." This plan was later scrapped in lieu of using computer-animated mythological dwarfs who looked like those featured in the original animated film.
Zegler also stirred controversy by criticizing the original 1937 film, criticizing Israel, and posting on social media, "May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace," adding, "F--- Donald Trump."
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A news update from IMDB.com called the movie "officially a flop," and says its $205.5 million earnings are "miles behind its massive $410 million total cost," including marketing, production, and other items. The site calls the film's disappointing performance "a financial blow which few expected to be this severe, especially with the losses already estimated at over $115 million, per Collider."
Vikings extend Brian Flores' contract as defensive coordinator despite head coaching interviews
One NFL head coaching candidate is staying put with his current team.
The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that defensive coordinator Brian Flores will remain in his role under head coach Kevin O’Connell, signing a contract extension after a three-year deal ran through the end of the 2025 regular season.
There was confidence Flores would remain on O’Connell’s staff, but there was always a chance he would get another crack at being a head coach in the NFL.
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He interviewed with both the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers for their vacancies at head coach, with the latter team meeting him for an in-person interview Wednesday. Flores also interviewed with the Washington Commanders for their vacant defensive coordinator post.
It’s worth noting the Vikings’ announcement doesn’t necessarily mean he has officially withdrawn from those two head coaching jobs.
But, absent any changes, Flores will remain in the Twin Cities to work with a defense that has been a formidable group in the league since taking over.
DOLPHINS HIRE JEFF HAFLEY, EX-PACKERS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, AS NEXT HEAD COACH: REPORTS
"Brian has a unique ability to connect with players, understand their skill sets and put them in positions to maximize their impact on the field," O’Connell said in a press release. "The identity of our defense is a reflection of his leadership and preparation. On a personal level, I’ve really valued the relationship we’ve built over the last three years, and that shared trust, alignment and high standard will continue to be critical to our success."
Flores was previously the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, leading them from 2019-21 to a 24-25 record in 49 games. He wasn’t able to get them to the playoffs despite a 10-6 record in 2020 and a 9-8 record in 2021.
Flores also sued the NFL and multiple teams in 2022, claiming the league was "rife with racism" and alleging systemic racial discrimination in hiring. He claimed teams conducted "sham" interviews for Black coaches under the Rooney Rule with no intention of hiring them.
Flores named the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Dolphins in his lawsuit.
A federal appeals court ruled in August 2025 that Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL for racial discrimination can go to trial. The ruling rejected the league’s attempt to force Flores into arbitration, which would have had Commissioner Roger Goodell serve as the arbitrator.
In a decision written by Circuit Judge Jose A. Cabranes, the appeals court said the NFL’s arbitration rules forcing Flores to submit his claims to arbitration before Goodell do not have the protection of the Federal Arbitration Act because it "provides for arbitration in name only."
The Vikings had the third-ranked defense in the NFL this past regular season, allowing 282.6 yards per game. They were also seventh in points allowed per game (19.6).
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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Whoopi Goldberg warns 'no country on this planet is safe' if Trump successfully acquires Greenland
"The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg argued Wednesday that if President Donald Trump can acquire Greenland, no country is safe from similar acquisitions by powerful leaders.
During a discussion on Trump's push to take control of the island territory owned by Denmark, co-host Sara Haines said, "I do think he might get Greenland."
"Greenland is not for sale," fellow co-host Sunny Hosten declared.
Goldberg then warned, "Listen, if they allow him to do this, no country on this planet is safe."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump has said that acquiring Greenland is a matter of national security to keep Russia and China in check as polar ice melts and shipping lanes expand, but NATO allies have rejected the idea.
Trump declared in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday that the U.S. is the only nation in a position to control and secure Greenland.
"We never asked for anything," Trump said of the U.S. working with NATO. "And we never got anything. 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. OK, now everyone says, ‘Oh good.’ That's probably the biggest statement I made because people thought I would use force. I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force."
"Across the board, our NATO alliance, I really think is at risk at this point," Hostin said in reaction to Trump. "Our allies are now speaking up vociferously. I mean, you saw them saying we — this is a new world order. This — and that should be something that should be — we should be very afraid of, because right now, with our alliance, China is on this side and Russia is on this side.
"Where will this sort of middle tier of countries go? They’re going to unite, and I think they may possibly go to China, which means that China becomes the new sort of ruler of the world order, and that is a scary. I think that is a very scary thing for us."
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Haines praised NATO’s strength as an alliance of western powers, saying, "The second it were to dissolve or separate, we would become immediately vulnerable to Russia and China."
Haines offered a theory that Trump’s apparent de-escalation — saying he will not use force to acquire Greenland — may be part of a calculated negotiation tactic, noting, "I absolutely think Donald Trump backed off on the military stuff because I think he might get Greenland.
"I think he’s going to find a way, because if you start with an absurd demand, and then you come back and bring a more reasonable one."
Ben Roethlisberger calls for Steelers to shift direction after Mike Tomlin steps aside
Shortly after the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs, longtime coach Mike Tomlin stepped down, sending shock waves across the NFL.
"While this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change. I am excited for what the future holds for this organization, and I will forever be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh," Tomlin said last week in a statement.
Tomlin’s decision pushed the Steelers, a franchise that has had just three head coaches since the 1969 season, into a rare coaching search. With Art Rooney II and Omar Khan leading the search, the Steelers have begun interviewing candidates.
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has publicly weighed in on the team’s direction.
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While the Steelers have traditionally focused on coaches with defensive backgrounds, Roethlisberger wants to see an offensive-minded coach get an opportunity.
"I would strongly consider a couple things. ... My first thought is, I want an offensive-minded head coach," the Super Bowl winner said on "Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger."
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"That's what I would do if I was the general manager. We've had defensive-minded coaches here. That's what they've all been. I'm ready for an offensive guy. I want to score more than six points in a postseason game. I would love a younger, offensive-minded head coach, a (Sean) McVay-ish, a Ben Johnson-ish who would focus on the offense and hopefully would be successful enough that you could keep here ... the next long-term coach."
Roethlisberger said an offensive-minded head coach should be paired with a veteran defensive coordinator, pointing to Jim Schwartz and Vic Fangio as options.
Roethlisberger also backed former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy as a candidate for the Steelers job.
"My next choice would literally be Mike McCarthy," Roethlisberger said. "Mike McCarthy is an offensive veteran coach with Pittsburgh ties. He understands the Steeler way, what it means to be a Steeler and the Rooney family and how it works. Lot of respect for him. He could bring a younger coordinator or whatever to help. The potential downside for that is how long would he keep coaching for? I don't know.
"The potential positive side of coming in here would be the potential of Aaron Rodgers coming back," Roethlisberger said. "They have a relationship together. I assume it's good enough. They won a Super Bowl together. You could bring his offense in. Aaron would know the offense and feel super comfortable in an offense he knows."
Aaron Rodgers finished his first season in Pittsburgh with 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Steelers survived against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 to claim the AFC North and clinch the final postseason spot.
While it remains unclear whether Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh for 2026, pursue another team or opt to retire, Roethlisberger expressed support for seeing the four-time league MVP play for the Steelers next season.
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Jury reaches verdict in trial of ex-Uvalde school police officer accused of failing to confront gunman
A jury returned a not guilty verdict Wednesday evening in the trial of former Uvalde school police officer Adrian Gonzales, charged with 29 counts of child abandonment or endangerment tied to the May 24, 2022 Robb Elementary shooting.
The jury deliberated for only 7 hours before returning the verdict.
Gonzales faced charges tied to the early minutes of the Robb Elementary attack. Nineteen children and two adults died in the shooting, which is the deadliest in Texas history according to the Texas Tribune.
UVALDE TRIAL HALTED AFTER KEY WITNESS CHANGES TESTIMONY
His counsel brought up two witnesses to stand in his defense, Gonzales did not take the stand.
Speaking to the press after the verdict was read, both Gonzales and his legal team shared details from their conversation with the jury.
Defense Attorney Nico LaHood said the jury told them there were "a lot of gaps in the evidence."
TRIAL UNDERWAY FOR FORMER UVALDE SCHOOL POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF SLOW RESPONSE TO SHOOTING
"You can tell, they said there was gaps in the evidence," said LaHood. "They appreciated us bringing out those gaps. They considered everything. They were very diligent. They worked very hard back there. They were very mindful and deliberate."
"Obviously they were saddened because they know that the other families are mourning still. But they said there was a lot of gaps in the evidence, and some of that didn't make sense to them," LaHood added.
On Gonzales' part, he thanked God, his family, his legal team and the jury after being acquitted.
"First things first. I want to start by thanking God for this," Gonzales said. "My family, my wife, and, these guys right here. He put them in my path, you know? And I'm just thankful for that. Thank you to the jury for considering all the evidence and making their verdict."
When asked if he had anything to say to the Uvalde families, Gonzales responded "no, not right now."
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Former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo was also criminally charged in relation to the 2022 shooting. He was charged with endangerment or abandonment of a child and has pleaded not guilty. A date for Arredondo's trial has not yet been set.
The Associated Press contributed to this reporting.
LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, downplays report of Lakers owner Jeanie Buss complaints: 'Who gives a s---?'
LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, is downplaying the bombshell report suggesting Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss has grown tired of his client.
ESPN cited team sources when it reported Buss had privately complained about James’ "outsized ego," and "overt control" the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Paul and the Klutch Sports Group have over the organization.
The report also stated that Buss believed James has lacked accountability since he’s been with the team, which includes deflecting blame after the team’s unsuccessful trade for Russell Westbrook before the 2021-22 season.
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Paul responded during his podcast, "Game Over With Max Kellerman and Rich Paul," and he downplayed the report.
"There’s an article written every day," he told Kellerman. "Who gives a s---? I don’t.
"When these types of articles come out, people want to take the clickbait. You’ll see stuff floating around and floating around and floating around. And it’s going back to this is why I created the whole thing about being unbothered.
"You’ve got to be unbothered by this type of stuff. I am. It’s like, whatever."
A decision the Lakers made in 2024 that created controversy, though, was their selection of James' son, Bronny, in the NBA Draft. Despite struggles in his lone year at USC, largely because he was recovering from a cardiac arrest, the Lakers selected James with the 55th overall pick.
The speculation has been that James had an influence on the selection, and ESPN's reporting seemed to confirm that.
"And when the Lakers drafted James' son Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Jeanie privately remarked that James should be grateful for such a gesture, but she felt that he wasn't," the ESPN report said. "That summer, as she discussed a new contract for James, Jeanie seemed more resigned to the fact that they'd have to do it — almost begrudgingly accepting that they'd take a massive PR hit by not doing so."
When Jerry Buss died in 2013, the Lakers were passed down to his children, and Jeanie has served as the team’s governor ever since. She has continued to oversee day-to-day operations, and reports sat she will remain the governor for five more years.
The Lakers won 11 of their 17 championships under Buss ownership, with their last in 2020. That is their only title, though, since Jerry Buss died.
James joined the Lakers in free agency in 2018, helping to lead the team to that 2020 title.
Fox News' Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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Top NATO official reveals details of stunning meeting with Trump that produced Greenland deal 'framework'
After President Donald Trump announced a new Greenland "framework" had been agreed upon with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the NATO chief told Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier" the U.S. forcibly taking control of Greenland from Denmark was not discussed during meetings between him and Trump in Switzerland during the World Economic Forum.
"That issue did not come up anymore in my conversations with Mr. President. He's very much focused on what we need to do to make sure that that huge Arctic region, where change is taking place at the moment, where the Chinese and Russians are more and more active, how we can protect that," Rutte said when pressed on the details of the reported "framework" that has been agreed upon.
Trump said the agreement resulted in his decision not to impose tariffs scheduled to go into effect Feb. 1.
"That was really the focus of our discussions," Rutte insisted.
TRUMP’S ‘SMALL ASK’ FOR GREENLAND WOULD BE THE REAL ESTATE DEAL OF A LIFETIME
Trump announced the new "framework" for Greenland in a post on his social media site Truth Social Wednesday afternoon while at the World Economic Forum this week.
"Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region," the president wrote. "Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st. Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland. Further information will be made available as discussions progress."
Trump noted that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff will lead "the negotiations" and report directly to him.
TRUMP TELLS DAVOS US ALONE CAN SECURE GREENLAND, INSISTS HE WON’T 'USE FORCE'
"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," Trump said earlier in the morning at the World Economic Forum. "Now everyone's saying, 'Oh, good.' That's probably the biggest statement I made because people thought I would use force. I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force."
During the exclusive interview with Fox News, Rutte called Trump "totally right" about needing to shore up security in the Arctic region, noting that the chance of Russia or China becoming a threat in that region is increasing every day. The NATO Secretary General also praised Trump's leadership in getting other NATO countries to pay more money for the alliance's defenses.
"I would argue tonight with you on this program he was the one who brought a whole of Europe and Canada up to this famous 5%," Rutte insisted, "which is crucial for us to equalize our spending, but also protect ourselves. And this is the framework which you see in his post that we will work on."
Rutte also noted that increased volatility between NATO-aligned countries, Russia and China underscored the need to shore up security in the Arctic region.
The NATO chief was asked whether he thought other countries were dealing with the Russians and the Chinese differently than they have in the past.
"It's not up to me to comment on what individual allies are doing in terms of their relationship with China," Rutte responded. "I think collectively, as NATO, we have a position. The position is that we should not be naive. I can tell you'll regret these huge investments the Chinese are making in the military. They are not there to organize parades in Beijing, and the military in Russia are not there to organize parades in Moscow. They are there to be used."