Former Greenland parliament member, Tillie Martinussen, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump, likening his approach towards Greenlanders to that of “sex workers” or a “common prostitute” due to his intentions to acquire the island. Martinussen expressed her outrage at the notion that Greenlanders are seen as “invadable,” labeling it as insulting.
Trump’s repeated interest in acquiring Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, has sparked mixed reactions among Greenlanders. While some, like Martinussen, are angered and fearful, others have downplayed the comments made by the Trump administration regarding the island’s future.
Since his first term, Trump has floated the idea of U.S. acquisition of Greenland, citing strategic reasons. Despite recent statements from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasizing diplomacy as the primary approach, the notion of military intervention remains on the table as a national security priority for the U.S.
Martinussen dismissed the argument that taking control of Greenland is solely for American security interests, suggesting that negotiations could address security concerns without territorial acquisition. The U.S. already operates the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland under a 1951 agreement with Denmark for missile warning and defense operations.
In response to Trump’s threats, Avaaraq Olsen, the mayor of Greenland’s capital Nuuk, highlighted the strong opposition among Greenlanders to any U.S. takeover plans. Sara Olsvig, chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council in Nuuk, underscored Greenlanders’ desire for self-determination, emphasizing their distinct identity as Kalaallit.
Greenland MP Pele Broberg, leader of the pro-independence party Naleraq, urged for a nuanced understanding of Trump’s intentions, suggesting that the U.S. may seek to empower Greenlandic people with options for independence from Denmark. Broberg called for constructive dialogue and cooperation to address mutual interests rather than escalating tensions.
Juno Berthelsen, another member of Greenland’s opposition party, dismissed concerns about U.S. annexation, highlighting the longstanding alliance between Greenland and the U.S. for security and defense purposes. Berthelsen emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in Greenland amid geopolitical dynamics involving Russia and China.