How ‘portfolio reasoning’ explains Trump’s constant reevaluation of America’s value

Trump has approached governing through the same framework as his former business portfolio, where he casts the US as a flagship holding whose value he was elected to increase.

By: J. Christian Spielvogel, Penn State, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 15, 2026

Words: 1,315

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By J. Christian Spielvogel, Penn State

In January 2026, President Donald Trump told an audience of business and political leaders in Davos, Switzerland, that the United States needed the “right, title and ownership” to Greenland “because you need the ownership to defend it. You can’t defend it on a lease.”

A territory of roughly 57,000 people appears to the president as property to be acquired.

Trump’s various actions during his second term have …

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