By Ben Meiselas
The largest protest in Greenland’s history unfolded today in Nuuk, and the message could not have been clearer. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets to reject Donald Trump’s threats to seize their land. In a country of roughly 55,000 to 60,000 residents, the turnout amounted to an extraordinary show of unity. Greenland’s premier arrived at the demonstration as crowds filled the city, and solidarity rallies followed in Copenhagen, including outside City Hall.
As Greenlanders protested, Trump did what he has increasingly done when faced with resistance. He lashed out. The president posted a series of social media attacks aimed at Greenland and at the countries supporting its sovereignty, singling out Denmark, France, Norway, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. These are the same nations that have offered military support to deter a U.S. invasion of Greenland. Trump’s response was to threaten tariffs, starting immediately on February 1 and escalating to as high as 25 percent by June, unless those countries “allow” the United States to take Greenland.
Trump asserted that tariffs would remain in place “until such time as a deal is reached for the complete and total purchase of Greenland.” He falsely claimed that the United States has been trying to buy Greenland for more than 150 years and suggested that modern weapons systems, including his so-called “Golden Dome,” require Greenland’s territory to function properly.
He wrote: “We have subsidized Denmark and all of the countries of the European Union and others for many years by not charging them tariffs or any other forms of remuneration. Now, after centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back. World peace is at stake. China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it.”
It’s completely unhinged. The United States has not been “subsidizing” Denmark for centuries, and the modern security framework governing Greenland is rooted in post–World War II agreements, including a 1950 treaty among the United States, Denmark, and Greenland. Trump’s claim that there is “not a thing” Denmark can do if China or Russia were to attack Greenland ignores the most basic fact of transatlantic security: NATO. Under Article Five, an attack on one member is an attack on all. That obligation applies to Greenland, and it is precisely why allied forces have moved to reinforce the region.
Greenland has made its position clear. It is open to cooperation with the United States, including the presence of U.S. military bases and discussions around resources. The United States once operated 17 bases there and later chose to close most of them. What Greenland has rejected is conquest. Trump, however, continued to mock the country, claiming it had “two dog sleds as protection,” a comment that further inflamed outrage.
In reality, Greenland is currently defended not only by Denmark but by special forces from Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, and other allied nations. Canada’s prime minister made the stakes explicit today, stating that if Trump were to invade Greenland, NATO’s Article Five would apply and Canada would treat it as a direct attack. That means war between the United States and its closest allies, triggered by Trump’s obsession with territorial acquisition.
Trump’s escalation did not stop there. He also attacked the Wall Street Journal, threatening to sue JPMorgan Chase over its decision to stop banking him after January 6 and falsely claiming that he had been vindicated by the insurrection. He ranted about supposed job offers to Jamie Dimon that never happened, all while presenting himself as a victim.
At the same time, the regime continues to bury critical accountability issues at home. The MeidasTouch Network broke a major story yesterday revealing that the Trump Justice Department is now arguing in federal court that the Epstein Files Transparency Act cannot be enforced by any judge. According to the administration’s position, because the law does not explicitly provide a private right of action, courts are powerless to compel the release of the Epstein files. In practical terms, the Trump regime is asserting that no court can force it to comply with the law, effectively placing itself beyond judicial oversight. They want to hide the Epstein Files. Forever.
Domestically, Trump is also escalating federal force against American cities. He has claimed authority to send troops into Minneapolis and Saint Paul amid protests against ICE operations. Those operations have already involved heavily armed federal agents terrorizing communities, deploying chemical agents, and targeting peaceful protesters. Now, the White House is openly floating the use of military force against Americans exercising their constitutional rights.
All of this is happening as Trump continues to align himself with authoritarian figures abroad. In Venezuela, the administration is propping up Delcy Rodríguez and engaging with hardline enforcers from the Maduro regime while sidelining pro-democracy leaders. Reports show U.S. intelligence officials meeting with regime figures as Trump’s allies profit from oil deals routed through foreign bank accounts. Over the past week alone, Trump has issued pardons and clemency to a string of convicted fraudsters who donated to him, a pattern that reinforces the pay-to-play culture now defining his presidency.
The people of Greenland, meanwhile, spoke with clarity and dignity. One protester said they welcomed allies for protection but remained frightened because “we are living in a world where we come to expect anything.” Another explained the core demand simply: “We are still people, real people living here. And we want to be respected for that.”
That respect is exactly what Trump has refused to offer, whether to Greenlanders asserting their sovereignty, to allies defending international law, or to Americans demanding accountability and basic rights. As of this Saturday afternoon, the situation is growing more dangerous by the hour, not because of foreign aggression, but because of a president willing to threaten war, economic retaliation, and military force to satisfy his own impulses.
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