Donald Trump Jr. has said that Greenland residents “love” his father, President-elect Donald Trump, and support the idea of the U.S. taking control of the autonomous Danish territory.
Newsweek has reached out to Trump Jr.’s office, the Danish Prime Minister’s Office and the Government of Greenland’s press office for comment via email outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
President-elect Trump has expressed renewed interest in the U.S. taking control of Greenland, going so far as to refusing to rule out military intervention.
Donald Trump Jr. looks on after arriving in Nuuk, Greenland on January 7, 2025. Trump Jr. has said the people of Greenland want the U.S. to take over the island. Donald Trump Jr. looks on after arriving in Nuuk, Greenland on January 7, 2025. Trump Jr. has said the people of Greenland want the U.S. to take over the island. EMIL STACH/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty Images
What to Know
Trump Jr. spoke with Fox News‘ Sean Hannity on Tuesday to discuss his visit to Greenland. During the interview, he said that the people of Greenland are treated as “second and third-class citizens” by Denmark.
He added Greenland residents seemed “really into this concept” of the U.S. purchasing the territory because “they love Trump.”
Both Danish and Greenland officials denied that Trump Jr.’s trip was for business purposes and there were no plans for him to meet with any government officials or political figures. On his podcast Triggered, broadcast Monday, Trump Jr. also said he was visiting as a tourist.
A source familiar with the trip previously told Newsweek Trump Jr.’s visit to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, was primarily to film video content for his podcast, rather than as part of any official plan by his father to take over the island.
Trump Jr. was accompanied by Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, which advocates for conservative politics on high school and college campuses, and Sergio Gor, the incoming White House director of the Presidential Personnel Office.
Also on Tuesday, President-elect Trump held a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump refused to rule out military action in Greenland or Panama, telling reporters, “We need them for economic security.”
Trump has also called for the U.S. to retake control of the Panama Canal, a vital trade route handed over to Panama in 1999 following a 1977 treaty signed under President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29 aged 100.
Greenland Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede has called for full independence from Denmark and has recently hinted at a referendum on the issue. Greenland has been self-governing under Denmark since 1979.
Trump first floated the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019 during his first term. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed the suggestion as “absurd” at the time.
What People Are Saying
Donald Trump Jr., speaking to Sean Hannity on Tuesday: “They’re obviously part of Denmark, but Denmark doesn’t allow them to utilize their natural resources. So many of these young kids coming up and telling us on a daily basis ‘when we go to Denmark, we’re treated like second and third-class citizens. They tell us to go home.’ There seems to be quite a bit of racism there.
“Not surprisingly, the Danish media has spent a long time, ever since my father started talking about this in his first administration, creating very negative views about America to try to create the narrative and create a sentiment against this from happening. But from what I saw on the ground…everyone was really into this concept. They loved it, and they love America. They love MAGA, they love Trump. It was awesome.”
President-elect Donald Trump, speaking at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday: “I can’t assure you — you’re talking about Panama and Greenland, no, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security.”
Greenland Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede said in a December statement: “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our yearlong struggle for freedom.”
Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, speaking to Danish television Tuesday: “[Egede] has been very, very clear—that there is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either.”
Malte Humpert, a senior fellow at the Arctic Institute and its founder, told Newsweek in December: “This idea remains as ludicrous as it was in 2019.”
What Happens Next
Trump Jr.’s video content recorded in Greenland for his podcast is expected to be released soon.
President-elect Trump may continue rhetoric about expanding U.S. territory to include Greenland and retaking control of the Panama Canal when he assumes office on January 20.
Egede has suggested a Greenland independence referendum could coincide with the island’s parliamentary elections in April.
