Trump says he’s sending hospital boat to Greenland to 'take care of many people who are sick'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after announcing he is sending a US “hospital boat” to Greenland, claiming residents there are not receiving proper care.
The announcement came on Saturday, February 21, with Trump posting a rendering of a hospital ship sailing into the sunset.
The move immediately raised questions about why the aid was being sent and whether Greenland had requested any assistance.
Trump sending 'great hospital boat' to Greenland
In his post, Trump said the effort was being coordinated with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, whom he previously named as his special envoy to the Arctic territory.
“Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It’s on the way!!!” Trump wrote.
The president did not provide details about the vessel, timeline, or scope of the medical mission. It also remains unclear whether officials in Greenland requested the additional help or why Trump suggested residents were being neglected.
Trump's announcement comes amid renewed Greenland acquisition push
Trump’s hospital ship announcement arrives as he continues to press his long-standing ambition to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
He has repeatedly framed the potential takeover as a national security priority, citing the island’s strategic proximity to Russia and China.
However, both Greenland and Denmark have strongly pushed back against the idea. In January, Denmark led a troop deployment to the region with support from NATO allies, including France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
During his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump once again reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland but signaled he does not intend to seize the territory militarily, despite earlier rhetoric that had hinted at tougher options.
Trump hints at broader Arctic deal
While speaking to CNBC’s Joe Kernan in Davos, Trump suggested negotiations around Greenland are already underway.
“I think it’s going to be a very good deal for the United States [and] also for them, and we’re going to work together with something to do with the Arctic as a whole, but also Greenland,” he said.
The commander-in-chief added, “It has to do with the security — great security, strong security, and other things.”
Acknowledging the complexity of the discussions, Trump told Kernan, “It’s a little bit complex, but we’ll explain it down the line.”
