Donald Trump has reignited his ambition to take control of Greenland, this time with a far more aggressive tone. In a recent interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, the president didn’t rule out using military force to acquire the massive Arctic territory, declaring that the U.S. “needs it very badly.”
This isn’t a new obsession for Trump. He floated the idea during his first presidency, citing Greenland’s strategic value for international security. Since returning to office, he’s doubled down, even sending Vice President JD Vance on a visit that was met with frosty reception from local leaders. Denmark and Greenland have both firmly opposed any suggestion of U.S. ownership.
Pressed during the interview on whether he’d consider using military intervention, Trump responded, “I don’t rule it out,” before assuring that the small population of Greenlanders would be “taken care of.” He emphasized the island’s importance, claiming it’s critical for national and international security efforts.
Trump’s comments come on the heels of his previous controversial suggestion that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state—though he now says that idea is “highly unlikely.” However, he insists the U.S. should always be open to the conversation, citing what he describes as lopsided trade and environmental policy issues.
While the notion of annexing Greenland has been widely mocked and condemned in the past, Trump’s renewed rhetoric—now laced with the possibility of military force—has again raised alarms. Whether this is serious foreign policy or political theater, it’s clear the president hasn’t let the idea go.
