Icelandic singer Björk has called on Greenland to declare independence from Denmark, as US President Donald Trump renews threats to annex the Arctic island. In an Instagram post on Monday, the 60-year-old artist urged Greenlanders to break free from the Kingdom of Denmark, drawing parallels with Iceland's own independence in 1944.
Björk expressed concern that Greenland might move "from one cruel colonizer to another," referencing Trump's stated desire to acquire the territory. An interview published by The Atlantic on Sunday quoted Trump saying, "We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense." The singer warned of potential US military intervention, linking it to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Greenland, a self-governing territory since 1953, relies on Denmark for half its public budget and control over foreign affairs and defence. However, it retains the right to hold a referendum on independence. Björk condemned historical Danish policies, including a forced contraception campaign that affected around 4,500 Greenlandic women between the 1960s and 1990s, and parental competency tests banned in May 2025 that separated Inuit children from their families.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated on Monday that both Greenland and Denmark have rejected Trump's overtures, stating, "I have made it very clear where the Kingdom of Denmark stands, and Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the United States." The White House did not comment.
This is not the first time Björk has advocated for Greenlandic independence; her 2007 song "Declare Independence" was dedicated to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. In her post, she wrote, "Dear Greenlanders, declare independence!!!! Sympathetic wishes from your neighbors."
