President Donald Trump’s persistent drive to secure U.S. control over Greenland has turned the remote island into an unexpected focal point of international attention.
Trump has escalated his push to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under Danish governance with a population of about 57,000, arguing it’s vital for U.S. national security.
This stance has led to a flood of journalists from outlets like The Associated Press, Reuters, the BBC, Al Jazeera, and media from Scandinavian nations and Japan descending on the island, particularly its capital, Nuuk, home to roughly 20,000 residents.
The media surge has overwhelmed local leaders and business owners with interview requests, while Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen firmly stated this week that the island will not be governed by the United States.
The issue has sparked intense debate over sovereignty, security, and the role of international alliances in shaping Greenland’s future, Fox News reported.
While Trump’s supporters see strategic merit in his position, others question the approach and its impact on diplomatic ties.
Nuuk’s small community has been thrust into the global spotlight, with business owners fielding up to 15 interview requests daily. It’s a lot for a tight-knit population unaccustomed to such scrutiny.
Local resident Berthelsen told The Associated Press, “We’re very few people and people tend to get tired when more and more journalists ask the same questions again and again.” That exhaustion is understandable—Greenlanders are being asked to defend their autonomy on a loop while the world watches.
Greenland’s leaders have been unequivocal: the island isn’t up for grabs. Prime Minister Nielsen’s recent news conference reinforced that the territory’s future lies in the hands of its people, not foreign powers.
On Wednesday, Trump doubled down via social media, declaring that anything short of U.S. control is “unacceptable.” That kind of rhetoric might rally a base hungry for bold moves, but it risks alienating allies who see Greenland as a sovereign concern.
Polling from Quinnipiac University shows Americans are hardly united on this. A majority—55% to 37%—oppose efforts to purchase Greenland, and a whopping 86% reject military action to claim it. That’s a clear signal the public isn’t ready to back a hardline play here.
Meanwhile, some Greenlanders are baffled by the fixation. Maya Martinsen, a 21-year-old resident, expressed to the AP her confusion over Trump’s motives, suggesting it’s less about security and more about resources.
Martinsen added, “It’s just weird how obsessed [Trump] is with Greenland.” Her skepticism cuts to a deeper issue: many locals feel the island’s beauty and culture are being reduced to a transaction.
Across interviews with outlets like the AP, residents emphasized their right to self-determination. They’re not pawns in a geopolitical chess game—they’re a community with a voice that deserves respect.
Trump’s comments have also strained ties with Denmark and other NATO partners. This week, troops from France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway arrived for a brief two-day mission to strengthen Greenland’s defenses, a move signaling Europe’s unease with the escalating rhetoric.
