Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of President-elect Donald Trump, made a brief visit to Greenland on Tuesday, fueling speculation about the incoming administration’s interest in the mineral-rich Danish territory. Greenland’s government confirmed the visit was private and unaccompanied by meetings with local officials.
Trump Jr.’s plane landed in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, where local media filmed him walking across the snowy tarmac. According to a source familiar with the trip, the visit, lasting about four to five hours, was to produce content for podcasting. The Greenlandic foreign affairs department stated no formal meetings were scheduled or requested by either party.
The visit comes after renewed comments by President-elect Trump expressing interest in acquiring Greenland, a strategic Arctic territory vital to U.S., Russian, and Chinese geopolitical interests. In a post on his social media platform Monday night, Trump praised Greenland and suggested its residents support his “Make America Great Again” movement. Trump referred to Greenland as an “incredible place” and asserted that U.S. ownership would bring protection and prosperity to its people.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is 80% covered in ice and holds significant mineral resources. Its autonomy from Denmark, gained in 1979, has allowed Greenlandic leaders to assert growing independence. Prime Minister Múte Egede has called for eventual independence from Denmark but rejected any suggestion of U.S. ownership, declaring Greenland is “not for sale.”
Denmark has also defended its sovereignty over Greenland. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland’s future lies in the hands of its residents and emphasized Denmark’s strong alliance with the United States. Meanwhile, Denmark’s King Frederik X recently included Greenland in the updated royal coat of arms, symbolizing its importance to the Danish kingdom.
This visit echoes a similar proposal by President Trump during his first term in 2019, when he floated the idea of purchasing Greenland. That suggestion led to diplomatic tension, culminating in Trump canceling a state visit to Denmark after the proposal was dismissed by Frederiksen.
The visit and Trump’s continued comments highlight ongoing U.S. interest in the Arctic amid global competition for influence in the region. Whether the incoming administration will formally pursue a purchase remains unclear, but Trump Jr.’s visit has underscored the political and strategic significance of Greenland on the world stage.
