Greenland has told President Trump “no thanks” to his offer of a US hospital boat. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen urged the president to talk directly instead of making “random outbursts on social media.” It’s a firm and clear response to a presidential offer.
President Trump had posted on social media, saying that he and his Greenland envoy, Jeff Landry, were “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!!!” The post included what appeared to be an illustrated or AI-generated image of the USNS Mercy, one of two hospital ships operated by the US Navy.
According to BBC, Prime Minister Nielsen quickly rejected the idea, noting that Greenland already provides free healthcare for all its citizens. “It’s going to be a no thanks from us,” he said. He also wrote on Facebook: “We have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens. It’s not like that in the United States, where it costs money to go to the doctor.”
Greenland is asserting its autonomy and calling for real diplomatic engagement
Nielsen also urged President Trump to “Talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media.” Greenland appears open to cooperation but wants discussions to happen through proper channels, not social media posts.
Trump’s habit of making bold announcements online has drawn attention in other international matters too. He recently gave Iran a 10 to 15 day deadline to reach a deal, a move that experts say may not carry the weight Trump intends.
This is not the first time Greenland has been in Trump’s sights. He has long been interested in the Arctic island, and previously refused to rule out taking it by force. He later backed away from that in January, and then announced a “framework for a future deal” between the US and Greenland, after Denmark and NATO allies made clear they would not give up sovereignty over the territory.
Trump’s post came shortly after Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command had to evacuate a crew member needing urgent medical treatment from a US submarine near Nuuk. It is not clear if there is any direct connection between that incident and Trump’s hospital boat offer, but the timing has been noted.
Details about the “framework for a future deal” remain vague. However, US Vice President JD Vance recently suggested that European countries were “willing to make a lot of accommodations.” The broader conversation around Greenland’s future relationship with the US is clearly ongoing.
Trump has also been making headlines for other unexpected moments, including his unusual comments about Nicki Minaj’s appearance that led to an awkward exchange she chose not to address.
For now, though, Greenland’s message is straightforward, the hospital boat is not needed, and any serious talks should happen through direct and respectful communication between leaders, not through social media announcements.
Published: Feb 23, 2026 03:15 pm