Donald Trump is back at it again, and this time, he’s setting his sights on the icy, mineral-rich expanse of Greenland. Yes, the President-elect is once again floating the idea of bringing Greenland under the stars and stripes, and he’s doing it in the most Trumpian way possible: with a mix of humor, bravado, and, let’s face it, a hint of strategic foresight.
In a Truth Social post that’s equal parts amusing and intriguing, Trump shared a video of a Greenlander wearing a MAGA hat and cheerfully asking, “Buy us. Buy Greenland.” The man went on to voice frustration over Danish control of Greenland’s abundant natural resources, claiming, “We are the richest nation in the world. And we don’t get to use it. Denmark’s using us too much.”
You’ve got to admit—it’s hard to ignore the optics here. A local Greenlander, decked out in Trump gear, asking the U.S. to swoop in and liberate his homeland from Denmark’s grip? That’s practically a campaign ad on its own.
Trump’s follow-up message struck his signature blend of grandiosity and strategic clarity: “Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
Of course, this isn’t the first time Trump has floated the idea. Back in 2019, when he was still in office, Trump raised eyebrows by suggesting the U.S. should consider purchasing Greenland, calling it “a large real estate deal.” Predictably, the idea was met with derision from the usual suspects in the media, who dismissed it as yet another outlandish Trump stunt. But was it really all that outlandish?
Let’s break it down. Greenland, the world’s largest island, is an untapped goldmine of natural resources—rare earth minerals, oil, and other valuable commodities. Strategically, its location in the Arctic makes it a prime spot for military installations and a key foothold in a region where global powers like Russia and China are already jockeying for influence. The U.S. already operates the Thule Air Base in Greenland, but full ownership would solidify America’s dominance in the Arctic and secure access to resources critical for everything from technology to defense systems.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede didn’t outright dismiss the idea either. In fact, his recent comments suggest a growing appetite for independence from Denmark. Egede remarked, “It is about time that we ourselves take a step and shape our future, also with regard to who we will cooperate closely with, and who our trading partners will be.” That’s about as diplomatic a signal as you can get that Greenland is open for discussions about its future—and potentially, its new partners.
Here’s the thing: Trump’s Greenland ambitions, while mocked by pundits in 2019, weren’t laughed off in strategic circles. Larry Kudlow, then Trump’s chief economic adviser, stated bluntly at the time: “Greenland is a strategic place up there, and they’ve got a lot of valuable minerals. The president, who knows a thing or two about buying real estate, wants to take a look.”
The economics make sense. Denmark subsidizes Greenland to the tune of nearly $700 million a year, and maintaining control of the island isn’t exactly a cash cow for Copenhagen. For the U.S., however, Greenland represents an opportunity—a strategic and economic jackpot.
But beyond the strategic and economic angles, Trump’s Greenland play is also classic Trump showmanship. It’s a headline grabber, a conversation starter, and a reminder that Trump isn’t just a politician—he’s a dealmaker. He thinks in terms of assets, leverage, and long-term value, not just quarterly approval ratings.
And let’s not forget, Donald Trump Jr. is heading to Greenland on Tuesday. Sure, the trip is being framed as “personal,” but when was the last time anything involving the Trump family was purely personal? You can bet there will be meetings, conversations, and maybe even a few selfies with Greenlanders wearing MAGA hats.
Whether or not Greenland ever becomes the 51st state—or some unique territorial status akin to Puerto Rico—remains to be seen. But one thing’s for certain: Trump has successfully planted the seed.
If the Danish government continues to mismanage Greenland’s resources, and if Greenlanders themselves start envisioning a future tied more closely to the economic and security guarantees of the United States, this idea might not seem so far-fetched in a few years.
