Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen for talks after reports surfaced that at least three Americans with ties to former President Donald Trump may have been conducting covert influence operations in Greenland.
According to the Danish public broadcaster DR, unnamed Danish government and security sources, as well as unidentified sources in Greenland and the U.S., believe these individuals aimed to shape local opinion and political alignments, including compiling lists of U.S.-friendly Greenlanders and identifying cases to portray Denmark negatively in American media.
DR reports that two other Americans reportedly tried to cultivate contacts with politicians, businesspeople, and locals. The report could not confirm whether these actions were personal initiatives or directed by others, and the White House has not commented.
Denmark and Greenland have condemned the reported operations, emphasizing that Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory, is not for sale. Trump has previously expressed interest in Greenland, even hinting at potential U.S. jurisdiction or military options to control the Arctic island, which is rich in minerals and strategically located.
Minister Rasmussen stated:
“Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom will of course be unacceptable. I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the U.S. chargé d’affaires for a meeting. Cooperation between Denmark and Greenland is close and based on mutual trust.”
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) added that Greenland is particularly vulnerable to influence campaigns, which could exploit real or fabricated disagreements to weaken relations between Denmark and Greenland. PET confirmed that it has strengthened its presence and efforts in Greenland in recent years and will continue to do so.
