Trump renews bid to seize Greenland just hours after US envoy was met with protesters in the Danish territory

By JAMES GORDON, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:58, 23 May 2026 | Updated: 02:22, 23 May 2026 President Donald Trump has once again floated his controversial Greenland land-grab plans with a dramatic social media post showing himself looming over the Arctic island. The AI-generated image, shared on Friday evening, featured Trump peering over the Danish territory's mountains and colorful villages beneath the words: 'Hello, Greenland!'  It came just hours after the US' special envoy to Greenland was met with furious protesters when he arrived to open a new American consulate on the island. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry received a frosty reception in downtown Nuuk on Thursday, as more than 500 Greenlanders marched through the capital Nuuk waving red-and-white Greenlandic flags and holding signs reading 'Go Home USA,' 'Make America Go Away!' and 'We are not for sale.'  The protesters then turned their backs on the US consulate building and observed two minutes of silence in a symbolic rebuke of Washington's growing presence. 'Greenland belongs to us. It's our country. It doesn't belong to Denmark or the United States. We are a people and we live here,' Greenland resident Grethe Kramer Berthelsen told the AFP during the rally. Another protest organizer, Aqqalukkuluk Fontain, told the BBC: 'Our government already told Donald Trump and his administration that Greenland is not for sale.' It also remains to be seen how much appetite there would be for a Greenland invasion on US soil, where Americans are already feeling the pinch due to the costly Iran war Donald Trump shared a social media image on Friday showing himself towering over Greenland beneath the words 'Hello, Greenland!' just days after anti-US protests erupted in Nuuk The demonstrations capped a tense week in Greenland after Landry arrived for his first visit to the island since being appointed Trump's special envoy in December. His presence immediately sparked controversy after Greenlandic officials revealed he had not been formally invited. During the trip, Landry repeatedly argued that the US needs to dramatically expand its presence in Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory that Trump has long described as essential to American national security. 'I think it's time for the US to put its footprint back on Greenland,' Landry said. 'Greenland needs the US,' he added. Trump has repeatedly argued that Washington must secure greater control over Greenland because of the island's enormous strategic importance in the Arctic. Greenland sits on the shortest missile route between Russia and the US and is believed to contain vast untapped rare-earth mineral reserves.  Melting Arctic ice is also opening new shipping lanes that major world powers increasingly view as economically and militarily important. At the height of the Cold War, the United States maintained 17 military facilities across Greenland. Today, only the Pituffik Space Base remains operational. The US' special envoy to Greenland was met with furious protesters when he arrived to open a new American consulate US Special Envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry was met with a frosty reaction from locals 'That in a democratic world, no means no,' he added.  But recent reports suggest Washington wants to expand again. US Northern Command has confirmed it is studying infrastructure improvements at Pituffik, while discussions have also reportedly included possible new activity at sites such as Narsarsuaq and Kangerlussuaq. The Trump administration insists the effort is about security and cooperation rather than territorial conquest. During the inauguration ceremony for the new US consulate in Nuuk, US Ambassador to Denmark Kenneth Howery described the Arctic as 'a region of global importance.' 'We will always be neighbors and be with you into whatever future you choose as allies and partners,' Howery said. According to Greenlandic broadcaster KNR, Howery also told attendees that Trump had ruled out using military force to take control of Greenland and that Greenlanders themselves would determine the island's future. Still, many residents remain deeply skeptical of Washington's intentions. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly insisted that only Greenlanders can decide the island's future. More than 500 Greenlanders demonstrated in the capital this week carrying signs reading 'Go Home USA,' 'Make America Go Away!' and 'We are not for sale' The new diplomatic facility officially opened earlier in the day on Wednesday amid tensions over US interest in Greenland The new 3,000 square meter consulate building has reportedly been nicknamed 'Trump Towers' by some locals uneasy about America's growing visibility in the territory. Greenlandic leaders also conspicuously distanced themselves from the opening ceremony. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen declined to attend the event while several senior Greenlandic politicians avoided the inauguration altogether. Landry only deepened the political storm during an interview with Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, where he openly encouraged discussion about Greenland eventually becoming independent from Denmark. 'I think there are some incredible opportunities that can actually lift Greenlanders from dependency to independence,' he said. But when asked whether Washington would respect Greenland's sovereignty red lines, Landry delivered a response that immediately drew alarm. 'There is only one line for us,' he said. 'It is red, white and blue.' The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. 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