Trump and Iceland: A Tale of Two Worlds

Hello there, folks! Today, we're diving into an intriguing topic that's been swirling around the internet like a stormy Atlantic breeze: Trump and Iceland. Now, these two might seem like an unlikely pair, but stick around, because we're about to explore how their worlds have collided in some surprising ways. So, grab a cup of coffee (or a mug of Icelandic Brennivín, if you're feeling adventurous), and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and trump iceland.

Trump's Icelandic Ancestry: A Viking in the White House?

Before we dive into the political whirlwind, let's rewind the clock a few centuries. You might be surprised to learn that our former POTUS, Donald Trump, has some Icelandic roots. That's right, guys! According to Ancestry.com, Trump's maternal grandfather, Friedrich Trump, was born in the small village of Kallstadt, Germany, in 1869. But here's where it gets interesting: Friedrich's parents, Johannes and Elizabeth Trump, were born in the same village, which was once part of the Holy Roman Empire. However, some historians argue that the village might have had Icelandic settlers in the past, which could potentially make Trump a distant descendant of the Vikings!

Now, don't go expecting Trump to start speaking Icelandic or donning a horned helmet just yet. This ancestry is pretty distant, and the connection is far from proven. But it's still a fascinating tidbit that adds a touch of Nordic intrigue to the Trump story.

Trump's Love-Hate Relationship with Iceland's Geothermal Energy

Alright, let's fast-forward back to the 21st century and talk about something a little more concrete: geothermal energy. Now, Iceland is pretty much the king of geothermal energy. With all those volcanoes and geysers, it's no surprise that the country gets a whopping 72% of its primary energy from geothermal sources. But here's where things get interesting: Trump, not exactly known for his environmentalist streak, has had a bit of a love-hate relationship with this clean energy source.

The Love: Trump's Geothermal Patents

Believe it or not, folks, Trump has been dabbling in geothermal energy for quite some time. Back in the 1990s, he applied for several patents related to geothermal heating and cooling systems. The patents, which were later transferred to the Trump Organization, suggest that the former president saw the potential in harnessing the Earth's heat for energy. Who would've thought, huh?

The Hate: Trump's Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

Now, let's fast-forward to 2017, when Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a global pact aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. Iceland, on the other hand, has been a staunch supporter of the agreement and has set some pretty ambitious climate goals for itself. So, while Iceland was busy embracing the future of renewable energy, Trump was, well, not so much.

Trump, Iceland, and the Art of the Deal

You might be wondering, "How on Earth (or Iceland) did Trump's business ventures intersect with the Land of Fire and Ice?" Well, folks, it turns out that the art of the deal has taken Trump to some pretty far-flung places, including Iceland.

Trump Turnberry and the Blue Lagoon

In 2014, Trump purchased the struggling Turnberry Resort in Scotland, giving it a much-needed facelift and transforming it into a luxury destination. Now, you might be wondering what this has to do with Iceland. Well, it turns out that the owners of the famous Blue Lagoon in Iceland were so impressed with Trump's Turnberry renovation that they approached him about helping to develop a similar resort in Iceland.

According to reports, Trump was indeed interested in the project, which would have involved building a luxury hotel and spa near the Blue Lagoon. However, the deal ultimately fell through, and the project was eventually taken over by another developer. But for a brief moment, it seemed like Trump might be adding "Icelandic hotelier" to his already impressive resume.

Trump's Icelandic Investment Scandal

Now, let's talk about a less-than-stellar chapter in Trump's Icelandic business dealings: the FLS Bank scandal. In 2006, Trump's company, Trump Entertainment Resorts, received a $55 million loan from FLS Bank, an Icelandic bank with ties to the controversial businessman and politician, Bjarni Benediktsson. The loan was used to fund Trump's struggling Atlantic City casinos, but it wasn't long before the deal started to sour.

As the 2008 financial crisis hit, FLS Bank found itself in serious trouble, and Trump's loan was eventually transferred to another bank. Trump, however, claimed that he had no idea about the loan's Icelandic origins and that he had been misled by his business partners. The whole saga ultimately ended up in court, with Trump eventually settling the case in 2015.

Trump and Iceland: A Tale of Two Political Relationships

Alright, folks, let's switch gears and talk about the political side of things. As you might expect, the relationship between Trump and Iceland hasn't always been smooth sailing.

Trump's Tweetstorm and the Icelandic Prime Minister

In 2016, then-Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson found himself in the midst of a political scandal, thanks in large part to the Panama Papers leak. The documents revealed that Gunnlaugsson and his wife had ties to an offshore company with significant holdings in Iceland's failed banks, which had been bailed out by the Icelandic government during the 2008 financial crisis.

Enter Donald Trump, who took to Twitter to weigh in on the scandal, claiming that Gunnlaugsson had been "caught red-handed" and that he should "resign immediately." Trump's tweets added fuel to the fire and helped to galvanize public opinion against Gunnlaugsson, who eventually stepped down as prime minister in April 2016.

Trump and the Icelandic President: A Love Story (Not Really)

Fast-forward to 2019, and we find ourselves in the midst of another Trump-Iceland political drama. This time, it's all about Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, Iceland's current president, who had the audacity to, well, not be a fan of Trump. In an interview with the Icelandic news outlet Stöð 2, Jóhannesson expressed his concerns about Trump's policies on climate change and immigration, saying that he found them "repulsive."

Trump, never one to let a slight go unanswered, took to Twitter (again) to respond to Jóhannesson's comments. In a now-deleted tweet, Trump accused the Icelandic president of having "poor leadership skills" and claimed that his country was "doing poorly." The tweet, which was written in all caps (because, you know, emphasis), sparked a flurry of responses from Icelanders, who were quick to defend their president and point out the numerous ways in which their country was, in fact, doing quite well.

Trump and Iceland: A Tale of Two Cultures

Alright, folks, let's take a break from the political drama and talk about something a little more lighthearted: culture. Now, you might think that the worlds of Donald Trump and Icelandic culture have about as much in common as snow and sunshine. But, as it turns out, there are a few surprising connections.

Trump and the Icelandic Sagas

Believe it or not, folks, there's evidence to suggest that Trump might have a soft spot for the ancient Icelandic Sagas. In a 2015 interview with The New York Times, Trump revealed that he was a big fan of the medieval tales, which chronicle the adventures of the Norse settlers in Iceland. When asked about his favorite book, Trump replied, "The sagas, the Icelandic sagas. I love them."

Now, whether Trump has actually read the sagas or was just name-dropping to impress the interviewer is up for debate. But it's still an interesting tidbit that adds a touch of literary intrigue to the Trump story.

Trump and the Icelandic Phallological Museum

Alright, folks, let's get a little weird for a moment. You might not know this, but Iceland is home to a rather unique museum: the Phallological Museum, or, as it's more commonly known, the "Penis Museum." This one-of-a-kind institution is dedicated to, well, you can probably guess. It houses a collection of penises from a wide variety of mammals, including whales, seals, and even a few humans (don't worry, they're from the 18th and 19th centuries).

Now, what does any of this have to do with Trump, you ask? Well, not much, to be honest. But in 2016, the museum's founder, Dr. Sigurður Hjartarson, did express his desire to add a certain someone's, ahem, "contribution" to the collection. You can probably guess who he had in mind. But, alas, Trump has yet to make a, shall we say, "generous donation" to the museum.

Trump and Iceland: A Tale of Two Economies

Alright, folks, let's wrap things up with a quick look at the economic side of things. Now, you might think that the economies of the United States and Iceland have about as much in common as apples and oranges. But, as it turns out, there are a few interesting connections between these two unlikely partners.

Trump's Tax Cuts and the Icelandic Economy

In 2017, Trump signed into law a sweeping tax reform bill that included significant cuts to both individual and corporate tax rates. Now, you might be wondering what this has to do with Iceland. Well, it turns out that some Icelandic companies have been taking advantage of the lower U.S. corporate tax rate by shifting their profits to American subsidiaries.

According to a report by the Icelandic newspaper Fréttablaðið, several Icelandic companies, including the popular budget airline WOW air, have been using a strategy known as "profit shifting" to lower their tax bills. And while this might not be the most nefarious of corporate schemes, it's still a pretty interesting example of how the economies of the United States and Iceland are intertwined.

Trump and the Icelandic króna

Now, let's talk about something a little more serious: the Icelandic króna. You might remember that Iceland's currency took a bit of a beating during the 2008 financial crisis, thanks in large part to the country's banking sector meltdown. Well, fast-forward to 2018, and we find ourselves in the midst of another króna-related drama, this time involving none other than Donald Trump.

In 2018, the Trump administration imposed tar