Trump is the most fawned-over Davos attendee since Angelina Jolie
- President Donald Trump is the most fawned-over attendee of the World Economic Forum in Davos since Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt came in 2006.
- Trump is expected to deliver a speech antithetical to the praise of globalism typically shared among the world's elites at Davos.
- French President Emmanuel Macron encouraged Trump to share his "America first" message and to encounter some "confrontation."
Despite embodying the antithesis of the usual celebration of globalism by elites, President Donald Trump has emerged as the most fawned-over attendee of the World Economic Forum's annual conference in Davos, Switzerland since Angelina Jolie and her then-husband Brad Pitt attended in 2006.
"A World Economic Forum official said no Davos attendee had gotten as much attention since Angelina Jolie," Axios' Mike Allen reported.
Trump, who was never invited to Davos as a businessman, has become the focus of attention as the conference draws to a close and anticipation builds over a speech he's set to give on Friday.
"Rooms and rooms of people at Davos waiting for a brief President Trump appearance," Business Insider's Alyson Shontell reported from the scene.
The scene at Davos shows a marked departure from last year, when Chinese President Xi Jinping attended and spoke. Xi spoke in defense of globalization and free trade, which was seen as a rebuke of Trump without mentioning his name.
Trump, on the other hand, is expected to do the opposite. French President Emmanuel Macron said he "strongly recommended" Trump take his "America first" message to Davos to share his vision and encounter "some form of confrontation and dialogue."
Though he has yet to speak, Trump's offhand comments in passing have already made news. Speaking to Business Insider CEO Henry Blodget in passing, Trump said on Thursday "America's great."