Fact Check: Did the US give Greenland to Denmark after the Second World War?
Donald Trump at Davos "We gave Greenland back to Denmark after WW2, how stupid were we"
— Boi Agent One (@boiagentone) January 21, 2026
Calls the island part of the Western Hemisphere "that's our territory"
Says only the US can secure Greenland for national security
🅱️uilding his case for a deal at the World Economic Forum pic.twitter.com/f6xmOaWWL6
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: In his recent speech, President Donald Trump made a controversial historical claim that the United States once owned Greenland and handed it back to Denmark after World War II. The statement quickly drew attention amid renewed tensions over the Trump administration’s interest in acquiring the Arctic territory. Let us fact-check his claim.
Claim: The United States once owned Greenland
During his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, January 23, Trump claimed that the US once owned Greenland and later gave it to Denmark.
Trump said the US was ‘stupid’ to return Greenland to Denmark.
“We gave back Greenland to Denmark after World War II. How stupid were we to do that, we did that,” he added.
Trump stated that the US had fought to secure the Arctic territory during the war. “We fought for Denmark to save it,” he said.
Fact Check: Historical facts contradict Donald Trump's claims
Trump’s claims are false as Greenland has been under the control of Denmark since the early 18th century and remains an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark till today. The US has never owned or governed Greenland.
In 1721, Denmark and Norway began colonizing Greenland. After the Napoleonic Wars in 1814, Denmark retained control, and Greenland became an integral part of Denmark in 1953.
Greenland was never an American territory; however, the US has a long-standing interest in the territory.
During World War II, the US signed the Defense of Greenland Agreement with Denmark in 1941 to protect the island from German occupation, during which they built military bases.
In 1946, President Harry Truman offered to buy Greenland for $100 million, but Denmark refused.
Donald Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland
Trump suggested the idea of the US buying Greenland in 2019, but Denmark rejected the idea again, calling it 'absurd'.
This year, he again revived claims that US control of Greenland will bring global stability.
Trump had repeatedly argued that US control of Greenland was essential for defense and security in the Arctic, citing concerns about potential influence from Russia and China.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described Trump’s approach as 'completely unacceptable pressure,' while acknowledging that negotiations with Washington remained difficult.
