Sean Hannity backs Trump’s Greenland plan, says paying residents $100K each is a 'no-brainer'

WASHINGTON, DC: Fox News host Sean Hannity has thrown his full support behind Donald Trump’s proposal to acquire Greenland as part of Trump's push to acquire the Danish territory, calling the idea an obvious win.

Hannity suggested the US should issue $100,000 checks to every man, woman, and child in Greenland as part of Trump’s push to acquire the Danish territory, calling the idea an obvious win.

The proposal follows a Reuters report earlier this month that Trump administration officials have floated payments ranging from $10,000 and $100,000 to each of Greenland’s roughly 56,000 residents.

Trump has repeatedly insisted that the US must acquire Greenland for “national security” reasons, adding that taking control of the territory is “what I feel is psychologically needed for success.” 

Hannity calls $100K per resident deal 'seems like a no-brainer' 

On Monday’s episode of Hannity, the Fox News host fully endorsed the top-end payout, which would total about $5.6 billion.

“Donald Trump’s forever in a state of negotiation,” Hannity told Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO). “Everything’s negotiable. A $100,000 for every person in Greenland – on average making 60 grand a year – Denmark’s not exactly been generous to them. They don’t have the ability to help them take their natural resources to the next level and enrich every person in Greenland. We do.”

Hannity also referenced Denmark’s controversial treatment of Greenlanders, specifically alluding to “what Danish doctors did to the women in Greenland." It was a nod to the forced implantation of intrauterine devices in Greenlandic women during the 1960s and 1970s. 

“I don’t know. Seems like a no-brainer to me,” Hannity said.

Schmitt didn’t push back, instead, emphasizing that Trump’s interest in Greenland is serious. 

“This is very top of mind for him,” Schmitt replied. “This is something that he’s very serious about, and I am glad he is.”

The Missouri senator argued that Europe needs to rethink its stance entirely. He said Europeans should “pivot away from this pride they’re exhibiting and understand the United States of America is the only country on the planet that can protect Greenland and the NATO alliance by acquiring Greenland."

Trump presses the case with Norway

Trump also raised the issue in a message to the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, lashing out at the Norwegian Nobel Committee after it declined to award him the Nobel Peace Prize. He warned that he no longer feels obligated to think “purely of peace,” as he argued the US must have “complete and total control” of Greenland.

Trump wrote in a text exchange with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, “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,” Trump wrote, according to a text exchange.

“Peace will always be predominant, but I must now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.”

He continued by questioning Denmark’s claim to Greenland altogether. “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,” he wrote.

He framed the issue as a matter of NATO reciprocity.

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

Norway pushes back

Støre confirmed the authenticity of the text messages to Fox News, but firmly rejected Trump’s argument.

“Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” the prime minister said in a statement.

While reiterating Norway's support for NATO efforts in the Arctic, Støre distanced his government from Trump's Nobel complaints. 

“We also support that NATO in a responsible way is taking steps to strengthen security and stability in the Arctic,” Støre said. “As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to President Trump what is well known, the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government.”