Denmark has called in the US charge d'affaires in Copenhagen on charges that men associated with Donald Trump and his White House attempted to sway opinion in Greenland. The emergency meeting, confirmed by the Danish foreign ministry, follows a report by local broadcaster DR that at least three US citizens tried to "infiltrate" Greenlandic society by creating lists of Donald Trump supporters and spreading critical stories of Denmark.
Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen condemned the reported activity as "totally unacceptable" and announced that Denmark would deliver a strong message to Washington. "It is crucial that we get an idea of this so our populations both Greenlandic and Danish know what we are dealing with," he stated.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also followed up with his statements, terming interference in Greenland's democracy "unacceptable." She added that the US hadn't specifically denied the reports, labelling the ambiguity "serious."
The scandal reopens old tensions that have their roots in Trump's presidency, when he openly made the suggestion that the US acquire Greenland a one-time Danish colony that is autonomous but still under Copenhagen's sway in matters foreign and security-wise. The suggestion strained relations between Copenhagen and Washington and made Greenlanders suspicious of US intentions.
According to DR, the three American men under scrutiny are suspected of trying to weaken Greenland’s ties to Denmark. One reportedly appeared publicly with Trump several times and is accused of cataloging both pro- and anti-Trump Greenlanders. Others allegedly advised on issues designed to cast Denmark in a negative light in US media, including scandals over forced removals and contraceptive practices affecting Greenlandic Inuit women.
Although the men are not named, Danish authorities described their visibility in Nuuk a city of only 20,000 as extremely prominent. The three allegedly made regular trips back and forth from the US to Greenland.
Greenland's foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, dismissed the rumors, stating she saw no proof of "shady activities." However, Aaja Chemnitz, an MP from Greenland in Denmark's parliament, reported that the accusations fit in with extensive efforts by external powers to influence Greenlandic politics. "This is nothing but a continuation of that," she stated, although she maintained such effort had limited influence on people's views.
Opposition leader Pele Broberg, whose party Naleraq is seen as Trump-aligned, downplayed the storm, describing it as "business as usual." He noted that European governments also lobby Greenland all the time.
The accusations also connect to a spate of US-associated business and political leaders expressing interest in Greenland's enormous mineral resources. Trump's former insiders and staff member such as his Arctic commissioner, Tom Dans, and Drew Horn of mineral investment company GreenMet have openly promoted Greenland as a frontier for billions of dollars of investment. None of these individuals has been directly accused by Danish officials, but their increasing presence has stoked speculation about Washington's interests.
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This is the second time Denmark has called in the US charge d'affaires since Trump became president. The previous encounter was in May over reported heightened US intelligence activity in Greenland.
The US State Department has not spoken directly but emphasized it respects Greenland's right to self-determination. A government spokesperson said to DR that although individual Americans might have interests in Greenland, "the US government does not control or direct their actions.
Nevertheless, for Denmark, the optics of Trump-hired workers making supporter lists in Greenland revived fears. The episode highlights how the strategic value of the Arctic its minerals, sea lanes, and geopolitical status continues to pull global power politics into one of the globe's remotest communities.
