Donald Trump Jr. Heads to Greenland for Private Podcast Shoot, Ignites Interest in Past U.S. Greenland Talks

On Monday, Reuters reported, citing sources, that Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, is scheduled to visit Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark in the Arctic, for one day.

Sources indicated that Trump Jr. will visit Greenland on Tuesday to shoot video content for a podcast. They mentioned that his schedule would be private, and he would not meet with government officials or politicians.

This news has attracted attention due to Trump’s long-standing interest in Greenland, significantly ahead of his inauguration as president on January 20.

Greenland, with a population of just 57,000, is an icy island with less than 2% of its land suitable for farming, despite its name meaning green land. It spans 836,331 square miles, making it the world’s largest island. Beyond its vast size, Greenland is rich in minerals, oil, and natural gas. Moreover, the melting ice caused by climate change has opened new Arctic shipping routes, which are becoming increasingly crucial for global trade.

Greenland’s economy mainly depends on fishing and subsidies from Denmark, as development remains limited. It has been under Danish rule since the late 14th century, becoming a colony and achieving autonomy in 1979. The capital, Nuuk, is geographically closer to New York City than Copenhagen, Denmark.

According to The Hill, Trump first floated the idea of purchasing Greenland during his first term in 2019. At the time, he described the island as strategically interesting. However, before any talks could begin, Denmark reacted angrily, resulting in a diplomatic conflict between the U.S. and Denmark.

After re-election, Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal. On December 22, 2022, he announced the appointment of a new U.S. ambassador to Denmark on his social media platform, Truth Social. He emphasized the importance of the U.S. owning and controlling Greenland for national security and global freedom.

Meanwhile, Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede expressed a desire for independence from Denmark during his New Year’s address on Friday. He emphasized the need for Greenland to “break free from the chains of colonialism and shape our own future.” His speech did not mention the United States, focusing on Greenland’s aspirations for greater autonomy.