Trump posts image showing Greenland covered in US military air base
President Donald Trump shared an image on Truth Social depicting Greenland as a sprawling American air base, drawing sharp criticism from Greenlandic activists and commentators as he continues to press for American control of the Danish territory.
President Donald Trump drew a wave of criticism after sharing a social media image that depicted Greenland as a vast American military installation. On Saturday, Trump posted the image on Truth Social showing the island's surface covered with runways, hangars and rows of military jets, with a large U.S. flag flying over the scene and the words "WELCOME TO GREENLAND" printed across the bottom in bold letters. Many readers interpreted the post as a blunt message to a close ally.
The post came as Trump continues to push for American control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. Leaders in Nuuk and Copenhagen have repeatedly objected to the idea. Independent journalist Aaron Rupar flagged the image and described it as a depiction of Greenland "as a giant American military colony."
Greenlandic political activist and former parliamentary candidate Orla Joelsen responded directly to the president. "Oh Donald, what on earth is this?" Joelsen wrote on social media. "An enormous American aircraft carrier parked on top of Greenland? Is this your latest fantasy of owning our country?" Joelsen pointed to U.S. plans for two new military facilities, in Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, along with upgrades to Pituffik Space Base. "That's military cooperation, NOT American ownership," Joelsen wrote. Joelsen also reminded Trump that the United States and Denmark signed an agreement recognizing Greenland's right to self-determination and the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. "Did you forget what you signed, Donald?" Joelsen added. "Or are you just hoping your voters can't read either?"
Other critics joined in online. Anti-Trump influencer Lucas Sanders called the president "Deranged Don." Progressive voice Joe Mikhaili described the image as the kind of un-American display that only a self-obsessed dictator would produce. Hollywood Reporter editor-at-large Kim Masters said the reaction showed Republican loyalty to what she called a lunatic. Social media personality Mario Nawfal mocked the image by writing that Denmark was trying to hold a diplomatic conversation while Trump was playing Battleship with an entire country. Commentator Molly Ploofkins summed up the mood with a single reply: "Sigh."
The image adds to a months-long debate over Greenland's future and its strategic value to Washington. The island's location and its existing U.S. installation at Pituffik Space Base have made it a point of interest for American defense planners, while Greenlandic and Danish officials have consistently rejected any suggestion that the territory could be transferred to American control.
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