This X post from the official White House rapid response account shares President Trump's remarks at the July 2026 NATO summit in Ankara, emphasizing Greenland's strategic importance to the US for global protection and referencing Denmark's quick Nazi overrun in WWII when the US took protective custody.
Trump argues the US should control Greenland rather than Denmark, claiming "we shouldn't have given it back" after defending it, amid concerns over Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic; the post includes a video clip of his statement.
The comments sparked debate on historical accuracy (US defended but never owned Greenland under 1941 and 1951 defense agreements) and tensions with NATO ally Denmark, which has rejected any sale or transfer of sovereignty.
.@POTUS: "Greenland is very important for the United States but it's not important for Denmark. In fact, when Denmark was overrun by the Nazis in less than one day...they asked us to take care of Greenland...We shouldn't have given it back to them because we're the ones that need… pic.twitter.com/IRehRZKa9s
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 8, 2026
This X post, from the White House Rapid Response account @RapidResponse47, quotes Trump's speech at the NATO Summit (Ankara, July 2026); it emphasizes Greenland's strategic importance to the US and references the US's protective role after Denmark's Nazi occupation during World War II. Trump argues that the US should maintain control, stating, "We protected Greenland while Denmark lost it in a day; we shouldn't have given it back." The video includes this statement. Historically, a US-Denmark defense treaty was signed in 1941, leaving Greenland as Danish territory, and US bases continued under the 1951 treaty. The post is creating tension with NATO ally Denmark, with the Danish Prime Minister defending sovereignty.