Trump calls Greenland "greatest gift" from Europe
U.S. President Donald Trump called Greenland the greatest gift the United States has ever received. He made the remark in a call to Fox News on Tuesday, during a broadcast about the midterm elections. The State Department reshared the clip on X. "Remember, [Europe] just gave the United States the greatest gift we were ever given. Do you know what it was? Greenland. We just got Greenland, you know that, right?" Trump said. Another person on the call clarified that Trump was referring to "a military deal."
POLITICO Europe reports that Trump had pushed for U.S. control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, until September. He cited national security. The report says his stance, his refusal to rule out military force, and his use of tariffs against allies strained the NATO alliance. At NATO's annual summit in July, Trump said the island "should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark." European leaders responded that the territory is not for sale and that its future should be decided by its people.
In September, Trump signed a defense agreement with the prime ministers of Greenland and Denmark. According to the report, the deal expands U.S. military access and presence. It effectively grants NATO countries exclusivity on mining and recognizes Denmark's sovereignty and Greenlanders' right to self-determination.
Voters in the U.S. head to the polls on Tuesday for the midterm elections. During the call, Trump said he thinks the results will be "better than you think." Democrats are widely expected to make gains against Trump's Republican Party.