The US envoy to Denmark was summoned by the Danish foreign ministry on Wednesday following alarming reports from the country’s public broadcaster. These reports indicated that several American men have attempted to conduct influence operations in Greenland, raising significant concerns among Danish officials.
According to an investigation conducted by Danish public broadcaster DR, at least three Americans with connections to former President Donald Trump are actively engaged in operations aimed at shifting public opinion in Greenland. This has sparked fears that they may be working towards supporting Trump’s long-held desire to annex the resource-rich island as part of the United States.
Greenland, known for its vast natural resources, is a self-governing territory of Denmark. Despite Trump's repeated assertions that annexing Greenland is essential for security purposes, both Greenland and Denmark have firmly opposed this idea.
In response to the situation, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen issued a statement acknowledging the ongoing interest from foreign actors in Greenland and its significance within the Kingdom of Denmark. He remarked, “We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark. It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead.”
The investigation by DR, based on conversations with eight sources from Denmark, Greenland, and the United States, revealed that the three American men are attempting to “infiltrate Greenlandic society.” Notably, one individual has compiled a list of Trump supporters in Greenland, with intentions to later recruit them for the establishment of a secessionist movement on the island. The other two men have reportedly reached out to local politicians, business leaders, and citizens, which has raised alarms about their potential roles in facilitating Trump's annexation goals.
Despite the seriousness of these allegations, the broadcaster was unable to ascertain whether the men were acting under direct orders or independently.
In light of these developments, Rasmussen emphasized that “any attempt to interfere” in Denmark’s internal affairs is “unacceptable.” He reassured that the cooperation between the governments of Denmark and Greenland is robust and built on mutual trust. “The cooperation between the governments of Denmark and Greenland is close and based on mutual trust, just as there is close cooperation and dialogue between the relevant Greenlandic and Danish authorities,” he added.
As the situation unfolds, CNN has reached out to both the White House and the Greenland government for their comments regarding these influence operations and the involvement of American individuals.
