Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton sharply criticised President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about Greenland, warning that any attempt to seize or control the Arctic territory would be a “disaster for the United States.”
In an interview with Euronews’ “12 Minutes With” programme, Bolton said Trump’s talk of using military force to take Greenland “one way or another” harms U.S. credibility and trust among international partners.
“I think just the talk of using military force is costing the US … in terms of trust and good faith and our reputation,” Bolton said, adding that such efforts would be “a disaster for the United States.”
He warned that actual military action would trigger a “political earthquake” in the United States and cited polling showing low public support for the idea — with only a small minority backing the use of force.
Bolton quipped that he wished to ask the small percentage in favour of military action whether they even know where Greenland is, highlighting how unpopular and impractical the proposal appears among the U.S. public.
Background: Trump’s Renewed Greenland Push
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in bringing Greenland under U.S. control, a move that would involve pressuring or convincing the Kingdom of Denmark, which governs the semi-autonomous territory. Rumours about this issue have intensified with ongoing talks at the White House involving U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Danish and Greenlandic officials.
Trump has claimed that Greenland is essential for U.S. national security and hinted that NATO should support such a move — a stance that Danish and Greenlandic leaders have rejected outright.
Opposition from Greenland and Its Allies
Polls show strong opposition among both Greenlanders and international opinion:
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll found only about 17% of Americans support efforts to acquire Greenland, with a majority opposed or unsure.
- Greenland’s leaders have reiterated their preference to remain part of Denmark and NATO, rejecting any notion of U.S. takeover.
Local officials have described the discussion of a U.S. takeover as “unfathomable”, urging that decisions about Greenland’s future must involve Greenlanders themselves and respect international law.
Experts say a unilateral attempt to seize Greenland would strain relations with European allies and could seriously undermine NATO unity — a point implicitly echoed by Bolton’s warning.
