Trump clashes with Jens-Frederik Nielsen over Denmark ties: ‘That’s gonna be a big problem for him’
Q: The premier of Greenland said today, 'We prefer to stay with Denmark.'
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 13, 2026
TRUMP: Who said that?
Q: The premier of Greenland
TRUMP: Well, that's their problem. I disagree with him. I don't know who he is. Don't know anything about him. But that's gonna be a big problem for… pic.twitter.com/7VhxQLcLCA
WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen appear to be clearly misaligned on Greenland’s future. During a press meet, Trump was asked about Nielsen’s decision to remain aligned with Denmark rather than relocate closer to the United States.
When reminded of Nielsen’s words, “we prefer to stay with Denmark," Trump responded without hesitation, saying, “That's gonna be a big problem for him.”
Earlier on Tuesday, January 13, the premier of Greenland firmly rejected Trump’s repeated takeover remarks. He stated that Greenland chooses Denmark and NATO over the United States. “We choose NATO, the Kingdom of Denmark and the European Union,” Nielsen said, reinforcing the island’s political direction.
These statements followed renewed interest from Trump in acquiring Greenland and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump dismisses Greenland PM’s Denmark preference in blunt response
On Wednesday, January 14, Donald Trump addressed comments made by the premier of Greenland regarding the island’s relationship with Denmark. During a press interaction, a reporter referenced remarks made earlier in the day by Greenland’s leader, stating, “We prefer to stay with Denmark.” The comment was raised in the context of Greenland’s political alignment and future direction.
Trump reacted immediately, asking, “Who said that?” The female reporter clarified by responding, “The premier of Greenland.” Without pausing, Trump offered a blunt and direct reply, saying, “Well, that's their problem. I disagree with him. I don't know who he is. Don't know anything about him. But that's gonna be a big problem for him.”
The exchange highlighted a clear disagreement between Trump and Greenland’s leadership.
Greenland leader reaffirms ties with Denmark and NATO amid US pressure
Jens-Frederik Nielsen made Greenland’s position clear while speaking in Copenhagen, emphasizing the island’s preference for Denmark and its commitment to NATO. Addressing the issue directly, Nielsen said, “If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark.”
He reinforced that stance by adding, “We choose NATO, the Kingdom of Denmark and the European Union.”
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected US President Donald Trump's push to take control of the island, declaring Greenland would rather remain part of Denmark amid rising geopolitical tensions pic.twitter.com/ojeTAUOsd2
— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) January 13, 2026
Nielsen also stressed Greenland’s desire to remain politically independent from Washington.
“The time has come to stand together,” he said, before adding, “Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.”
The remarks were made during a joint news conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen. The timing was significant, coming ahead of high-level discussions between US, Danish, and Greenlandic officials scheduled to take place at the White House on Wednesday.
Echoing the call for unity, Nielsen repeated, “The time has come to stand together.”
Frederiksen also addressed the pressure surrounding the situation. “It has not been easy to stand up to completely unacceptable pressure from our closest allies for a lifetime. But there is much to suggest that the hardest part is still ahead of us,” Frederiksen said.
