President Donald Trump is facing pushback from Danish and Greenlandic officials after he posted on Truth Social claiming that 'a lot of people are getting sick' in Greenland and are not receiving proper care — a claim neither government invited nor verified. The remarks followed the medical evacuation of a US submarine crew member off the Greenland coast, which Trump appeared to use as the basis for announcing plans to deploy a hospital ship to the autonomous territory.
Both Denmark and Greenland have public healthcare systems that provide free treatment to citizens, and officials from both governments wasted no time in saying so. The episode is the latest flashpoint in Trump's running interest in Greenland, which he has repeatedly suggested the US should take control of, citing the territory's strategic resources, including graphite, rare earth elements, and green technology materials.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded directly, saying she was proud to live in a country that offersfree and equal access to healthcarefor all — one where treatment is not tied to insurance or personal wealth. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen took a sharper tone.
'President Trump's idea of sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted. But we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens. It is a deliberate choice. But talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media,' Nielsenwrote.
'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.
“No thanks.”Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejects US President Donald Trump’s offer to send a naval hospital ship to the Arctic island coveted by the US leader.pic.twitter.com/613SfcXBse
Arctic command forces evacuated the submarine crew member and transported him by helicopter to a hospital. Trump cited no further evidence for his broader claim that Greenland residents are going without medical care.
The hospital ship announcement fits a pattern. Earlier this year, Trump publicly revived his ambition to take over Greenland, with multiple reports suggesting his interest is driven less by the territory itself and more by a desire to keep China from accessing its natural resources.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that he wasn't made aware that a hospital ship had been deployed just like what Trump said. Questions about the US Navy's two ships, the USNS Mercy and the USNS Comfort have been directed to the White House. However, they did not immediately respond.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Sunday "no thanks" to U.S. President Donald Trump's idea of sending a hospital ship to Greenland.https://t.co/CQtUORISb6
Source: International Business Times UK
