President Donald Trump is leading the largest American delegation in the 55-year history of the World Economic Forum, bringing over 300 officials to the snow-covered Swiss resort town of Davos. This record-breaking group includes five Cabinet secretaries, senior advisers, and support staff. It’s a turnout so big that it requires dozens of US Air Force transport planes and special Secret Service charter flights just to get everyone there. Central banks often influence the topics discussed at Davos through their impact on global markets and monetary policy interest rates.
Trump brings record 300-strong delegation to Davos, requiring dozens of military transport planes to move the historic American contingent.
The delegation’s leadership reads like a who’s who of American power. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are attending, along with Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for Middle East and Ukraine matters, and Jared Kushner, serving as a key international negotiator. Think of it as bringing the whole team to the championship game rather than just sending a few players.
Getting this many important people to one small mountain town creates some interesting challenges. Hotels in Davos are 95 percent full, and four-star rooms cost over 1,500 Swiss francs per night, double what they were in 2025. The nearby airports in Zurich and St. Gallen-Altenrhein are completely overbooked with planes trying to land. Airlines have warned that late equipment changes could result in losing take-off and landing slots.
Security measures have reached their highest level ever for the forum. Workers at the ski resort must carry passports at all times, and random ID checks happen on the train line to Davos. Traffic restrictions might close tunnels for motorcades carrying leaders around town. Travel coordinators recommend submitting accreditation forms 72 hours before arrival to avoid delays at badge issuance and hotel check-in.
The event itself is massive. A record 64 heads of state are expected, including six of the seven G7 leaders, with only Japan absent. Over 3,000 participants from 130 countries will attend, including 850 CEOs and 400 top political leaders. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and Syria’s transitional President Ahmed Al-Sharaa are among the notable attendees.
The purpose behind this enormous American presence centers on private meetings about critical issues: Ukraine, Venezuela, Gaza, Greenland, and Iran. Forum president Børge Brende welcomes Trump’s return, emphasizing the need for global cooperation at this pivotal moment in world affairs.
