President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he was sending a hospital ship to Greenland, the autonomous Danish territory he has long coveted and previously threatened to seize by force.
Trump’s remarks have heightened tensions between the United States and Denmark while drawing global attention to the Arctic, as he insists the mineral-rich island is crucial for US and NATO security against Russia and China.
He claimed the vessel would treat numerous “sick” people in Greenland, without providing specifics on who would be assisted or the scale of the operation.
“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,” Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social. “It’s on the way!!!”
The post included an apparent AI-generated image depicting the USNS Mercy—an 894-foot (272-metre) hospital ship usually stationed in southern California—sailing toward snowcapped mountains. It was unclear whether the Mercy was the actual vessel being dispatched.
Trump added that the mission would be coordinated with Governor Jeff Landry, appointed as his Arctic envoy in December. During this month’s Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Landry shared a photo of himself and two others at a carnival ball holding a Greenland flag, captioning it: “Great to host some of the wonderful people of Greenland.”
Earlier this week, Denmark’s King Frederik X visited Greenland, where he remains popular, amid growing anxieties over Trump’s interest in the territory.
Trump had previously eased repeated threats to seize Greenland last month after reaching a “framework” agreement with NATO chief Mark Rutte to secure greater US influence in the region.
