An image of Greenland turned into an enormous American military base was shared by USA President Donald Trump on Saturday, 31 October, renewing questions about his portrayal of the Arctic island as American territory.
In the illustration posted on Truth Social, Greenland resembles a vast aircraft carrier, with a runway, military aircraft and a large American flag. The words “Welcome to Greenland” appear on the image. Trump offered no further explanation, according to Danish broadcaster DR and TV 2.
Another Greenland image after repeated claims of ownership
The post is part of a series of manipulated images Trump has shared about Greenland. In September, he published a map that placed American flags over Greenland and Iceland. He has also repeatedly suggested that the USA now owns Greenland.
At a campaign rally in Georgia on 24 October, Trump claimed Denmark had given Greenland to the USA, as NordiskPost reported. The statement followed a security agreement signed by the three governments on 22 September, but the written deal does not support that claim.
What the Greenland defence agreement actually says
The agreement signed by the USA, Denmark and Greenland allows American forces to expand activities at Pituffik Space Base and establish new defence areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. The technical details of the new facilities are subject to agreement between the parties. It also provides for closer military cooperation within NATO in the Arctic.
Crucially, the agreement reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and recognises Greenland’s right to self-determination. It grants wider military access, not ownership of the territory. Greenland’s government made the same distinction in its announcement of the agreement.
USA Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a different account from Trump’s when questioned by DR. Rubio said the agreement was designed to protect American and allied security interests regardless of whether Greenland eventually becomes independent or remains part of Denmark. He said Trump understood and supported the agreement, but did not endorse the president’s claim that Denmark had handed over the island.
The latest image announces no new military decision. It does, however, highlight the continuing gap between Trump’s public portrayal of Greenland and the sovereignty provisions in the agreement his administration signed.
