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Fact Check: Is Trump's claim that no written documents support Denmark’s ownership of Greenland true?

Trump wrote in his text message, 'it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there'

BY CONRAD DIAS

UPDATED JAN 21, 2026

President Donald Trump in Oval Office, White House (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Since the start of 2026, President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that the United States must acquire Greenland for 'national security' reasons, and added that taking control of the Danish territory is "what I feel is psychologically needed for success."

Recently, Trump sent a text message to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and claimed that Denmark cannot protect Greenland from Russia or China, and that they do not have a 'right of ownership'. But is there any truth to the POTUS' claim? Let us find out below.

Claim: No written documents support Denmark’s ownership of Greenland

In a text exchange with the Norwegian Prime Minister, Donald Trump wrote, "Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars, plus, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace."

The POTUS then added, "Peace will always be predominant, but I must now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America."

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on January 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Leavitt was joined by President Trump days after the president threatened a 10% import tax on goods from eight European countries that have rallied around Denmark amid Trump's calls for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) — President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on January 20, 2026, in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Further in the text message, he questioned Denmark’s claim to Greenland and wrote, "Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway? There are no written documents; it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also."

"I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT," Trump mentioned.

Fact Check: Written documents recognize Danish sovereignty over Greenland

Marc Jacobsen, associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College and an expert on Arctic security and diplomacy, debunked President Trump's claim, saying, "Donald Trump’s claim is false, again."

Moreover, he noted that Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland has been continuously recognized internationally, 'not least' by the US.

The US agreed in 1916 to issue a written declaration acknowledging Danish sovereignty over Greenland as part of a deal wherein Denmark sold the Danish West Indies to the US, and they renamed the islands the US Virgin Islands.

NUUK, GREENLAND - JANUARY 17: People bear Greenlandic flags as they gather in front of the U.S. consulate protest against U.S. President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland on January 17, 2026 in Nuuk, Greenland. Greenlandic, Danish and other European leaders are hoping they can still avert an intervention by the United States to forcefully acquire the island as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to insist the U.S. must have Greenland, suggesting even by military means if necessary. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) — People bear Greenlandic flags as they gather in front of the US consulate, protest against President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland on January 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Moreover, the then-Secretary of State, Robert Lansing, wrote in the declaration that, "duly authorized by his Government", he had "the honor to declare that the Government of the United States of America will not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland."

Norway occupied and claimed sovereignty over part of eastern Greenland in 1931. However, as the dispute moved to the Permanent Court of International Justice, the court issued a ruling in favor of Denmark’s argument in 1933 that it had sovereignty over all of Greenland.

NUUK, GREENLAND - JANUARY 17: People bear Greenlandic flags and a banner that reads: — People bear Greenlandic flags and a banner that reads: 'Hand Off' as they march to protest against President Donald Trump and his announced intent to acquire Greenland on January 17, 2026, in Nuuk, Greenland (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Furthermore, among several other factors, the judges cited another document - the 1814 treaty whereby Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden, but Denmark retained Greenland.