Former US President Donald Trump has once again ignited a major diplomatic controversy by refusing to rule out the use of American military force to seize control of Greenland.
'No Comment' on Military Action
In a telephone interview with NBC News on Monday 19 January 2026, Trump was directly questioned on whether he would authorise the US military to take the vast Arctic island by force. His stark, two-word reply was: "no comment."
This ambiguous statement marks a significant escalation in his long-standing campaign to acquire the autonomous Danish territory. It follows a weekend threat from Trump to impose a 10% tariff on Denmark and other European nations unless they support Washington's plan to assume control of Greenland.
Allies Urge Calm as Splits Emerge
The remarks have drawn immediate concern from international leaders. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to downplay the rhetoric, insisting Trump is "not serious" about a military takeover and urging for "calm discussion between allies."
Domestically, the issue is causing fractures within Republican ranks. Former Vice President Mike Pence is among a growing number of party figures publicly splitting with Trump over his aggressive stance on Greenland.
Nobel Prize Link Revealed in Texts
Trump's relentless pursuit of the island, despite consistent rejections from both Danish and Greenlandic leaders, appears deeply personal. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre revealed a telling text message from Trump that linked the former president's desire to acquire Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
In the message, Trump stated he "no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace," providing a startling insight into the motivations behind the geopolitical gambit.
The situation presents a serious test for transatlantic relations, raising profound questions about the future of security and diplomacy in the Arctic region should Trump return to power.
