At a Glance
- Anders Vistisen tells President Trump to “f—k off” over Greenland’s sovereignty.
- Trump insists Greenland is vital for U.S. security and has repeatedly called for control.
- Allies like Canada and the U.K. publicly rebuke Trump’s stance.
President Trump’s comments about Greenland have drawn a sharp rebuke from Danish lawmaker Anders Vistisen, who delivered a fiery speech at the European Parliament. He warned the former U.S. president that Greenland is “not for sale” and urged him to “f—k off.” The speech, delivered in Danish, was interrupted by a speaker who cited parliamentary rules against profanity.
Vistisen’s Fiery Speech
In the session, Anders Vistisen said, “Dear President Trump, listen very carefully. Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years. It is an integrated country. It is not for sale.” He followed with, “Let me put this in words you might understand: Mr. President, f—k off.” The interruption came from the session chair, who reminded him that cuss words were not permitted in the chamber.
Trump’s Greenland Ambitions
Trump has repeatedly floated the idea that the United States should take control of Greenland for strategic reasons. In a post on Truth Social dated Jan. 20, he wrote, “As I expressed to everyone, very plainly, Greenland is imperative for National and World Security. There can be no going back – On that, everyone agrees!” He also claimed that the U.S. is the only power capable of ensuring global peace. The former president’s remarks appear to echo a broader narrative that Greenland is a critical asset for U.S. dominance.
In a letter dated Jan. 18 addressed to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump linked his loss of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to his fixation on Greenland. He wrote, “Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.” He went on to question Denmark’s ability to protect Greenland from Russia or China and urged NATO to grant the U.S. full control.
Trump’s comments were accompanied by a statement from the White House on Jan. 9, 2026, during which he reiterated his stance on Greenland’s strategic importance.
International Reactions
The U.S. stance has sparked criticism from several allies:
- Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney said, “We are NATO partners with Denmark, and so our full partnership stands. Our obligations on Article 5, Article 2, stand.” This statement underscored Canada’s commitment to NATO’s collective defense.
- United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a press conference on Jan. 19, cautioned that decisions about Greenland belong to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone.
- Norway: Although not responsible for the Nobel Prize decision, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed the authenticity of Trump’s letter, highlighting the diplomatic sensitivity of the issue.
The remarks also touch on Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, chartered on April 4, 1949, which obligates NATO members to defend one another against armed attacks.
Key Takeaways
- Anders Vistisen‘s speech underscored Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland and publicly rebuked Trump’s claims.
- Trump’s repeated statements frame Greenland as essential to U.S. and global security, a view that has drawn sharp rebuttals from allied governments.
- The international community, particularly NATO members, remains united in upholding Denmark’s control over Greenland and rejecting unilateral U.S. claims.
These developments highlight the tension between U.S. expansionist rhetoric and the established diplomatic order within NATO and the broader international community.
