Laura Ingraham says Europe, not Trump threw 'temper tantrum' as she flips script on Greenland

WASHINGTON, DC: Fox News host Laura Ingraham argued Wednesday, January 21, that European leaders and not President Donald Trump are the ones throwing a “temper tantrum” over Greenland.

She said the opposition to US bid to take over Greenland was an example of "fools looking a gift horse in the mouth".

Ingraham bashes European "fits" over Greenland

The namesake of The Ingraham Angle show said that “Europe’s pointless temper tantrum” over Greenland was the focus after the Davos summit. 

She claimed the relationship between the US and the rest of NATO has been "lopsided" for "most of its history."

“Now, that was great for the other NATO countries, but it was a lousy deal for the United States, our taxpayers. Other presidents just let the imbalance slide, but not Trump," Ingraham said.

"So whether we're talking about Sweden, or the UK, or France, or Canada...throwing fits about Greenland is just another example of fools looking a gift horse in the mouth," she said, later accusing European leaders of being “snooty”.

“Once again, Donald Trump and his team remind the world that the United States is the only power capable of holding the West together by protecting Europe from its own stupidity and weakness.”

As she spoke, the on-screen chyron read: “Dad sets the rules, kids learn to obey.”

Trump’s Greenland push and NATO tensions

Citing “national security” concerns, Trump recently demanded that Denmark, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) signatory, hand over Greenland to the US. 

The Arctic territory is home to about 56,000 people. 

The US president had repeatedly hinted at using military force to acquire Greenland, though he recently said in Davos that he would not do so.

It's worth noting that Greenland already hosts a US military base, and a 1951 agreement with Denmark allows the United States to significantly expand its military presence there.

Even so, Trump has argued that acquiring the territory is necessary for US security and said that taking Greenland is “what I feel is psychologically needed for success.”

For weeks, Trump alarmed European leaders as he refused to rule out the use of force to take Greenland.

Speaking Wednesday, January 21, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, however, Trump said he would not pursue that option.

Trump explained that military force was unnecessary, though he made clear the United States could easily succeed if it chose that route. “We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won't do that,” Trump said.

He added, “Now everyone's saying, 'Oh, good.' That's probably the biggest statement I made, because people thought I would use force. I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force.”

Trump argued that no country other than the United States is capable of defending Greenland and said he was seeking “immediate negotiations” to pursue his goal.

“I have tremendous respect for both the people of Greenland and the people of Denmark, tremendous respect,” Trump said.

“But every NATO ally has an obligation to be able to defend their own territory, and the fact is, no nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States. We're a great power.”

Denmark pushes back as Trump issues warning

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said it was “positive” that Trump had taken military force off the table but warned that the controversy remains unresolved.

“That does not make the problem go away,” Rasmussen told reporters in Copenhagen.

“What was quite clear after this speech is that the president's ambition is intact,” he added.

Despite backing away from threats of force, Trump issued a warning to NATO allies opposing his Greenland push.

“We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won't give it. We've never asked for anything else ... So, they have a choice. You can say yes and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember,” the President said.