Donald Trump Jr., son of President-elect Donald Trump, is set to visit Greenland, two weeks after his father reiterated a controversial desire for the United States to acquire the Danish territory. According to US media reports, Trump Jr. plans to record footage for a podcast during the private, one-day visit.
The visit comes amid renewed tensions sparked by Donald Trump’s December comments, in which he called Greenland’s ownership “an absolute necessity” for US national security. During his first term as president, Trump had floated the idea of buying the Arctic island, only to be rebuffed by Greenland’s leaders, who declared, “We are not for sale.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, reaffirmed this stance, stating in December, “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland.” Nevertheless, President-elect Trump has continued to tout the strategic and economic benefits of US control over the island, emphasizing its importance in the Arctic region.
Trump confirmed his son’s planned visit via his Truth Social platform, describing it as an opportunity to explore “magnificent areas and sights.” He added that Greenland would “benefit tremendously” under US ownership, promising to protect the island “from a very vicious outside world.”
The president-elect’s post also featured a video of an unidentified Greenlander wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat, urging Trump to “free Greenland” from Danish control.
Despite Trump’s renewed interest, the Danish government has dismissed the visit as unofficial. Denmark’s foreign ministry noted that it had no further comment on the trip. In response to Trump’s remarks, Denmark announced a significant increase in defense spending for Greenland, a move Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described as an “irony of fate.”
The debate over Greenland’s sovereignty highlights its geopolitical importance, lying along the shortest route between North America and Europe. Meanwhile, King Frederik X of Denmark has sought to reaffirm the kingdom’s unity, even as Greenland’s prime minister pushes for independence.
As the controversy unfolds, Trump has also drawn criticism for suggesting a reassertion of US control over the Panama Canal, further straining international relations.
