Greenland's Residents Speak Out: 'Absolutely Insane' Trump, We Reject Your Offer
January 11, 2026 — 5:00am
Nuuk: Greenland's citizens have a clear and unwavering message for Donald Trump: no deal. They are resolute in their rejection of the US president's proposal to turn their land into an American territory, even if it comes with a financial offer.
"He's absolutely insane," says Ruth Søholm, a 65-year-old retail worker in Nuuk. "We are Inuit, and we do not belong to America. We do not want to be Americans."
Trump's relentless pursuit of his vision to incorporate the vast Arctic territory into the US, despite opposition from Europe and speculation about potential force, has not gone unnoticed in Greenland. "We are going to do something with Greenland, whether they like it or not," Trump declared. "If we don't, Russia or China will take over, and we don't want those as neighbors."
In the latest development, White House officials are reportedly considering offering each resident a substantial sum of up to $100,000 in cash to secure the deal. However, in Nuuk, the president's proposal is met with derision and strong opposition.
A group of boys walking in the snow succinctly express their sentiment: "We hate Trump." One of them mimics shooting a gun, emphasizing their disapproval.
Trump's efforts to win over the Greenlanders' hearts and minds are falling short. Greenland, a former Danish colony with a strong Inuit heritage, has its own parliament and government, and its people want a say in decisions affecting their land. Søholm, at a bus stop, highlights Trump's apparent disregard for the people of Greenland, stating, "He should take care of his own people."
The resistance to Trump's offer is so strong that financial incentives alone are unlikely to sway the Greenlanders. Carl Petersen, a retiree in Nuuk, firmly states, "Many people won't agree. I won't. Even if you offer $500,000 or $1 million, we don't want their money. We want to be free."
The idea of US control over Greenland is not new. Historical records show that the US discussed purchasing it from Denmark in 1867 and made a secret offer in 1946, which was revealed decades later. Trump has made this issue a central focus of his presidency, expressing concerns about Russian and Chinese presence around Greenland and emphasizing the commercial benefits of acquiring it.
"It's essentially a large real estate deal," Trump said in 2019. White House officials have also discussed the strategic importance of Greenland's critical minerals for US technology and defense.
The allure of expanding the US territory is significant. If Trump were to add Greenland, the country's size would increase by 2.16 million square kilometers, surpassing the Louisiana Purchase and the purchase of Alaska. However, this expansion comes at a cost, as it involves disregarding the wishes of the indigenous people, similar to historical land deals in the 1800s where Native Americans and the Inuit had no say.
A recent poll, funded by Danish and Greenlandic newspapers, revealed that 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the US, while only 6% support it. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen both reject Trump's ambitions, aligning with the popular will.
Despite ongoing talks, including a meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, there is no indication that American control over the territory is imminent. The people of Nuuk are determined to maintain their independence and have a say in their future.
"We're trying to be independent," says Susan Bech, a resident of Nuuk. "I hope we'll be independent one day."
The five political parties in the Greenland parliament have issued a joint statement, emphasizing their commitment to cooperating with the US and Western nations while demanding an end to American "disrespect" for their country. They assert that Greenland's future should be decided by the Greenlandic people, who declare, "We will not be Americans, we will not be Danes, we are Greenlanders."
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