Greenland’s leader condemns Trump’s ‘random outbursts,’ as the truth about his Arctic security obsession finally surfaces

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has sharply criticized President Donald Trump for what he called “random outbursts” on social media. This condemnation comes after Greenland’s official rejection of the President’s offer to send a U.S. military hospital ship to the territory. The diplomatic spat highlights ongoing tensions around Arctic security and differing views on healthcare.

President Trump initially announced his plan on Truth Social, stating, “Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It’s on the way!!!” This post quickly drew objections from Danish officials before Greenland’s own rejection came through.

According to Fox News, Prime Minister Nielsen responded publicly on Facebook, acknowledging the offer but firmly stating Greenland’s position. “President Trump’s idea of ​​sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted,” Nielsen wrote. “But we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens. It is a deliberate choice.” He stressed that while Greenland remains open to dialogue, the U.S. should “talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media.”

Trump’s special envoy reiterates how much America cares about Greenlanders

Following Nielsen’s rejection, President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, weighed in with a strong rebuke. “Shame on Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen!” Landry wrote on his campaign’s Facebook page.

Landry argued that President Trump and America genuinely care about Greenlanders, especially regarding healthcare issues. He pointed out that many small villages and towns in Greenland lack basic services, permanent doctors, diagnostic tools, and specialist care, forcing residents to travel long distances for vital treatments.

Landry emphasized that a healthy Greenland is crucial for America’s national security, asserting that “health is inseparable from security.” He framed America’s commitment to defending Greenland as beginning with ensuring its people are healthy.  

This perspective aligns with President Trump’s broader agenda to annex Greenland, viewing it as a vital move to secure the strategic Arctic region from Russian and Chinese influence, which he considers a national security issue for both the U.S. and NATO. Former U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Carla Sands, has also previously stated that Greenland is “unsecure” because Denmark “cannot afford” to protect it.

Both Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed Greenland’s stance, defending their public healthcare system. 

Poulsen told a Danish broadcaster that the Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs, either locally or through specialized treatment in Denmark, indicating there’s no need for a special healthcare initiative. Frederiksen highlighted the benefits of living in a country with “free and equal access to health for all,” contrasting it with systems where insurance and wealth dictate treatment.