Trump Proposes Sending Hospital Ship to Greenland, Prompting Swift Rejection
Former President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that he is planning to dispatch a U.S. hospital ship to Greenland, asserting that residents of the autonomous Danish territory are not receiving proper medical care. In a Saturday post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It’s on the way!!!" The post included what appeared to be an illustration of USNS Mercy, the lead hospital ship in non-commissioned service with the U.S. Navy.
Greenland and Denmark Respond with Firm Rejection
On Sunday, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded to Trump's proposal with a clear "no thanks" in a Facebook post. Nielsen emphasized that Greenland and Denmark provide free, tax-funded healthcare to all residents. "President Trump’s idea of sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted. But we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens. It is a deliberate choice," he stated. Nielsen added, "But talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media."
Denmark's Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen also refuted Trump's claims, telling Danish broadcaster DR, "The Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs. They receive it either in Greenland, or, if they require specialized treatment, they receive it in Denmark. So it’s not as if there’s a need for a special healthcare initiative in Greenland." Poulsen noted that Trump's frequent social media posts about Greenland reflect "the new normal that has taken hold in international politics."
Background and Broader Context
Trump's post came hours after Denmark's military reported that its arctic command forces evacuated a crew member from a U.S. submarine in Greenlandic waters for urgent medical treatment. However, it remains unclear if this incident was connected to Trump's announcement, as he did not specify whether Greenland requested assistance or why it might be needed.
This is not the first time Trump has focused on Greenland. He first floated the idea of acquiring the territory in 2019 and has renewed his push during his second presidential term, citing national security concerns. In recent months, Trump has:
- Repeatedly expressed desire to acquire Greenland for strategic purposes.
- Announced a framework deal with NATO regarding Greenland, though NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte denied Greenland was discussed.
- Threatened tariffs on countries that do not support his move to take control of Greenland.
These actions have sparked widespread pushback from European leaders, straining the White House's relationships with NATO allies. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen further defended her country's healthcare system in a Facebook post, writing, "I was happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all. Where it’s not insurances and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment." She also dismissed a leaked White House claim that an agreement would grant the U.S. ownership of "small pockets of land" on Greenland for military use.
The ongoing discussion highlights tensions over healthcare assertions and territorial ambitions, with Greenland and Denmark firmly upholding their sovereign healthcare policies against external proposals.
