Fact Check: Is Trump administration planning to pay Greenlanders $100,000 to join the US?

WASHINGTON, DC: A rumor circulated online in January 2025 claiming that President Donald Trump's administration was planning to send payments to Greenlanders to encourage them to join the United States.

According to the rumor, Trump administration officials discussed figures ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person. But what is the truth behind these claims?

Claim: Trump administration considering payments to Greenlanders

Several X accounts shared posts claiming the Trump administration planned payments of $10,000 to $100,000 per person to Greenlanders to support joining the United States.

One X user wrote, "Reuters reports that President Trump is mulling paying Greenlanders $10,000 - $100,000 per person to join the US and support secession from Denmark. Grok estimates it would cost US taxpayers between $500 million and $5.8 billion based on those figures."

Another post claimed, "TRUMP ADMIN REPORTEDLY LOOKING AT $100,000 PAYMENTS FOR GREENLANDERS TO JOIN US. The Trump administration is reportedly discussing sending payments to Greenlanders to sway the population to back the US takeover of the territory from Denmark."

An additional X account wrote, "BIG. Trump ready to pay Greenlanders $10,000 – $100,000 per person to join the US and support secession from Denmark."

Fact Check: Trump officials discussed paying Greenlanders $10,000–$100,000

The claims have some basis, according to an outlet report citing four sources familiar with the matter. The report stated that "while the exact dollar figure and logistics of any payment are unclear, US officials, including White House aides, have discussed figures ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person," two anonymous sources confirmed.

The outlet also reported that the White House is exploring multiple strategies regarding Greenland, which the administration considers a strategic national priority. 

The White House said in a statement on January 6, 2025, "President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region. The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified to lawmakers on January 7 that the United States is exploring purchasing Greenland, not invading it, aiming to calm tensions with Europe, as Greenland is a Danish territory.

Danish leaders reject US takeover suggestions

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's leader strongly opposed President Trump’s remarks about US control over Greenland, calling them disrespectful and unacceptable toward a close ally.

In an interview with The Atlantic magazine, Trump reiterated his interest in Greenland, citing its strategic defense importance. Frederiksen responded, "It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland. The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish Kingdom." 

Trump had stated, "We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense," following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his comments on US operations in Latin America.