President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on Greenland put a spotlight on how the tiny population voted in this week’s election.
Since taking office, the president has argued U.S. ownership of the autonomous island is essential for national security and told Greenlanders that it would be in their best interest as well—a message he reiterated before they headed to the polls.
“As I made clear during my Joint Address to Congress, the United States strongly supports the people of Greenland’s right to determine their own future,” Trump said on Truth Social. “We will continue to KEEP YOU SAFE, as we have since World War II. We are ready to INVEST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to create new jobs and MAKE YOU RICH — And, if you so choose, we welcome you to be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America!”
While the mainstream media is focusing on how a party that’s been critical of Trump’s takeover rhetoric won, conservatives are highlighting the fact that it may have to govern with a party that’s been more receptive to Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland.
[V]oters rejected Greenland's current Prime Minister Múte Egede, whose Inuit Ataqatigiit party came in third in Tuesday's polls. Egede has insisted that Greenland is not for sale and he framed the polling partly as a referendum on Trump's seemingly bellicose bullying, saying the election was a "fateful choice."
But observers say the victory for Greenland's center-right Demokraatit (Democracy) party, which won the largest portion of parliamentary seats, with 30% of the vote, guarantees neither a quick move toward independence nor closer ties with the U.S.
For starters, the Demokraatit party has also been highly critical of Trump's rhetoric, insisting that their island — the world's largest — has the right to self-determination. The party's leader and Greenland's likely next prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has called Trump "a threat to our political independence."
The Demokraatit party also favors a go-slow approach to independence, with a gradual strengthening of the island's economy, which is heavily reliant on fishing exports and direct subsidies from Denmark, before going it alone.
Meanwhile, Naleraq — another center-right party — wants to fast-track independence. It has in the past been more receptive to the U.S. president's message and came in second in the balloting. But it's not yet clear if it will be invited to join the new government or be bypassed for a coalition between the Demokraatit party and smaller parties. (NPR)
Salem radio host Charlie Kirk, meanwhile, highlighted the "good news" about the results.
"Elections were held yesterday, and Naleraq, a nationalist party that has the most pro-USA politicians in Greenland, had its best ever result and doubled its overall support," he said. "Greenland's legislature is strictly proportional, and a conservative, more pro-Denmark, more pro-gradual independence party got first overall, so they are a long way from joining America, but things are headed in the right direction.
"Greenland has the right to decide its own future, but our message from America is this: We want to partner with you, and it will make both of our nations richer, happier, and more secure," he added.
Good news from Greenland! Elections were held yesterday, and Naleraq, a nationalist party that has the most pro-USA politicians in Greenland, had its best ever result and doubled its overall support.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 12, 2025
Greenland's legislature is strictly proportional, and a conservative, more… pic.twitter.com/MY7rA5rp31
