No chair was given, so I arrived an hour late! While Jen-Hsun Huang, Cook and other giants wait, Trump meets with more than 100 global CEOs in Davos

# Source: Wall Street Insights

## By Dong Jing

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon left the event before Donald Trump’s arrival due to a scheduling conflict, while Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan did not attend the reception at all. Trump delivered a 15-minute speech touching on issues including the U.S. economy, praised the performance of executives such as Tim Cook, claimed that "sometimes you need a dictator", and added that his governing style is all about "common sense".

At a private reception held during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Donald Trump kept more than 100 of the world’s top corporate executives standing and waiting for over an hour.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on January 22, the event, originally scheduled to start at 5 p.m. local time on Wednesday, January 21, did not see its main guest arrive until after 6:30 p.m. No seats were provided at the venue, forcing business leaders including NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, Apple CEO Tim Cook and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink to wait standing by high tables.

Reports noted that due to tight schedules and other important dinners that evening, some executives expressed dissatisfaction with the delay. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon had to leave before Trump’s arrival to host his company’s event at the Kirchner Museum. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, for his part, did not attend the reception.

In his roughly 15-minute speech, Trump covered a range of topics including the U.S. economy and the regime change in Venezuela, and specifically praised several executives including Tim Cook. He also stated that "sometimes you need a dictator", before adding that his governing style is rooted in "common sense". A White House spokesperson responded that critics of Trump would baselessly label him a dictator, but everything the president does is based on common sense and national interests.

This marks the first time a sitting U.S. president has attended the World Economic Forum in Davos since 2020. As mentioned in a previous article by Wall Street Insights, Trump’s public speech delivered earlier that day was seen as easing tensions with European countries over the Greenland issue. At the reception, he expressed satisfaction with the public response to his speech.

## A Power Play of Standing and Waiting

Reports indicated that the reception was held in a brightly lit room with gray carpets at the Davos Congress Centre. Several high tables were set up at the venue, but no chairs were provided, leaving the executives with no choice but to wait standing up. According to sources familiar with the matter, guests were offered water and wine while waiting.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon left early to host his company’s event at the Kirchner Museum that evening. Attendees also tried to read into the absence of certain Davos business leaders. While the CEOs of nearly all major U.S. banks were present, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan was notably missing.

When Trump finally arrived, the attendees greeted him with applause. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink introduced the president and thanked him for "speaking out" at this year’s forum. Trump delivered his speech from a makeshift podium just a few feet away from the executives.

In his address, Trump singled out several executives for praise. He commended BlackRock’s Larry Fink for taking on more responsibilities after Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, stepped down as executive chairman last year. Addressing the CEOs, Trump said:

"I heard Larry is more or less taking it over. He called me and said, ‘Can you do me a favor? Can you come?’ We’ve had some great business dealings."

Apple CEO Tim Cook received special praise. Cook is widely regarded as one of the CEOs who best understands how to engage with the Trump administration. Trump said: "He’s great, doing an incredible job. I don’t know if anyone could do it better than Tim." Trump then told the other executives to "get moving".

In his speech, Trump stated:

"The U.S. is doing fantastically well—so well that nobody thought it was even possible, certainly not this fast. Everyone is making a lot of money, everyone is investing in the U.S."

## Remarks on "Dictator" Spark Attention

Reports pointed out that at the reception, Trump mentioned he was pleased with the response to his public speech delivered a few hours earlier, which was seen as de-escalating tensions with European countries over the Greenland issue. According to the latest reports, Danish leaders said on Thursday that the dispute over the Arctic territory remains "difficult and serious".

"Our speech got great reviews," Trump said. "Usually they say he’s a terrible dictator-type person. But sometimes you need a dictator." He then added that his governing style is entirely about "common sense".

According to attendees, people reacted to Trump’s comments about dictators with a mix of skepticism and humor, while acknowledging that it was not the first time he had made such remarks. During his 2023 campaign, Trump stated that he would not act as a dictator, "except on day one".

White House spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that "crazy critics in the media and on the left" would baselessly call him a dictator, "but everything President Trump does is based on common sense and what’s best for our country".

After the speech, Trump shook hands with many executives, and attendees described his overall mood as positive.

Reports noted that Trump’s economic advisor Kevin Hassett, a contender for the next Federal Reserve Chair, as well as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, interacted with executives including Bridgewater Associates Co-CEO Nir Bar Dea and Meta President Dina Powell McCormick.

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