Trump wants Greenland. But is it realistic?

Here's what you need to know about President-elect Trump's ambitions for the U.S. to acquire the Arctic island

In a move that feels straight out of an America First reality show, President-elect Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., touched down in Greenland this week for what’s being called an impromptu “scouting” visit for a video for his podcast. The visit comes on the heels of Trump’s revived interest in acquiring the world’s largest island—a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

Greenland’s appeal? A treasure trove of untapped natural resources like gas and uranium, plus its strategic Arctic location. The United States already maintains a military base on the island.

For context, this isn’t entirely uncharted territory: President Harry Truman tried to buy Greenland in 1946, and even back in 1867, Andrew Johnson mulled over the idea after Alaska joined the U.S.

Trump’s renewed push builds on his 2019 proposal to purchase Greenland, which Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen famously called “absurd.” Trump has also suggested that the United States re-assume control of the Panama Canal and claim Canada as the 51st state, much to the dismay of the leaders of both countries. He’s also said he will rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

But Trump is nothing if not persistent. His team claims Greenland could bolster U.S. defense against rising global players like China and Russia, especially with the Arctic heating up—literally and politically. The U.S. already has a military base on the island, but Trump sees bigger possibilities. According to The Washington Post, Greenland’s hypothetical price tag ranges from $200 million to a staggering $1.7 trillion, far exceeding Trump’s previous $100 million offer.

For any deal to happen, though, there’s a huge hurdle: Denmark’s constitution explicitly designates Greenland as part of its territory, with Greenlanders holding representation in the Danish Parliament. Independence, however, is a growing aspiration for many of Greenland’s majority-Inuit population. Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede has amplified these calls, hinting that independence might open the door for new partnerships—including with the U.S. Still, some local leaders dismissed Trump Jr.’s visit as “staged” and overly choreographed, while Denmark firmly reiterated its opposition to any U.S. annexation efforts.

Meanwhile, Denmark isn’t sitting idly by. The country recently announced a $1.5 billion boost to its Greenland defense budget, which officials insist is purely coincidental. But with NATO allies like Germany and France issuing sharp warnings against any forceful moves by Trump, it’s clear the stakes are high. For now, Denmark, Greenland, and Trump appear to be locked in a delicate geopolitical dance.

As for Trump, it’s unclear if he’s ready to back down. His brash approach to foreign policy—layered with a dash of unpredictability—suggests he might keep pushing, regardless of resistance. Whether Greenland remains an icy pipe dream or becomes a serious chapter in Trump’s legacy, it’s safe to say this Arctic escapade is far from over.