‘This just got real’: Trump appoints American governor as special envoy to Greenland, sparking global backlash
PALM BEACH, Florida – Though some may have thought the idea of the United States acquiring Greenland was on ice, President Donald Trump has instantly reignited the issue with his appointment of an American governor as special envoy to the region.
“I am pleased to announce that I am appointing the GREAT Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland,” Trump said Sunday night on Truth Social.
“Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World. Congratulations Jeff!”
The Republican Landry thanked the president, saying, “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”
“This just got real,” noted online journalist Mario Nawfal.
“This formalizes what used to sound like Trumpian trolling. An envoy is infrastructure. You don’t appoint one unless you intend to negotiate, pressure, or reshape reality. Greenland hosts a U.S. Space Force base, sits astride Arctic shipping lanes opening due to climate change, and controls untapped critical minerals.
TRUMP NAMES A GREENLAND ENVOY – AND IT’S A SITTING U.S. GOVERNOR
This just got real.
Trump has appointed Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, the Danish-controlled Arctic island Trump has openly said the U.S. will “get.”
Not a diplomat. Not a career… pic.twitter.com/db88lvV7ud
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 22, 2025
“With Russia militarizing the Arctic and China circling it economically, Washington sees a chessboard – not an island. What happens next? Expect diplomatic friction with Copenhagen, intensified U.S. courtship of Greenland’s tiny population, and a steady reframing of ‘purchase’ into ‘security partnership.’
“This isn’t a joke anymore. It’s phase one.”
The announcement of Landry as special envoy is sparking backlash across the world.
“You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement. “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland.”
Nielsen added on Facebook: “We have woken up again to a new announcement from the U.S. president. This may sound big, but it does not change anything for us. We decide our own future.”
On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he would summon U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Howery, who pledged “mutual respect” during a recent visit to Greenland, Reuters reported.
“Out of nowhere, there is now a special U.S. presidential representative, who, according to himself, is tasked with taking over Greenland. This is, of course, completely unacceptable,” Rasmussen told TV2.
Even Germany is voicing its opposition, with its foreign ministry spokeswoman Kathrin Deschauer saying: “Our position as the federal government has not changed in this regard.
“The future of Greenland lies in the hands of the Greenlanders.”
This was the reaction from Germany’s foreign ministry, following a post on X from the new US special envoy for Greenland, Jeff Landry. He said it was an honor to serve “to make Greenland a part of the US.” pic.twitter.com/3efHzXDBpq
— DW Politics (@dw_politics) December 22, 2025
“The future of Greenland lies in the hands of the Greenlanders and the territorial integrity of the kingdom of Denmark of which Greenland is an autonomous part.”
Earlier this month, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service issued a report saying the U.S. is using its economic power to “assert its will” and threaten military force against allies as well as enemies, according to the Associated Press.
“The strategic importance of the Arctic is rising as the conflict between Russia and the West intensifies, and the growing security and strategic focus on the Arctic by the United States will further accelerate these developments,” the report said.
As WorldNetDaily reported in March, Vice President JD Vance joined his wife Usha on a trip to Greenland, saying, “A lot of other countries have threatened Greenland, have threatened to use its territories and its waterways to threaten the United States, to threaten Canada, and, of course, to threaten the people of Greenland. So we’re gonna check out how things are going there.”
Looking forward to visiting Greenland on Friday! pic.twitter.com/p3HslD3hhP
— JD Vance (@JDVance) March 25, 2025
“Speaking for President Trump, we want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it’s important to protecting the security of the entire world.
“Unfortunately, leaders in both America and in Denmark, I think, ignored Greenland for far too long. That’s been bad for Greenland. It’s also been bad for the security of the entire world. We think we can take things in a different direction, so I’m gonna go check it out.”
In January, as WorldNetDaily reported, Donald Trump Jr., arrived in Greenland with conservative activist Charlie Kirk amid a push to purchase the Danish territory.
“Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland,” the President-elect Donald Trump posted on Truth Social at the time.
“The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE!
“This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
Don Jr has arrived in Greenland pic.twitter.com/tNVWbMGe1V
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 7, 2025
MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!!
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 7, 2025
He also posted a video of a man from Greenland urging the U.S. to purchase the massive territory from Denmark.
“Buy us! Buy Greenland!” the man says as he puts on a red, Make America Great Again cap.
Trump attached his own message to the video clip, indicating: “I am hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA.’
“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation.”
I am hearing that the people of Greenland are “MAGA.” My son, Don Jr, and various representatives, will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights. Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes… pic.twitter.com/YI0tZx73UA
— Unofficial Trump on X (@trump_repost) January 6, 2025
When asked why Trump should buy Greenland, the man responded: “Because we don’t want to be colonized by Danish government anymore.”
“We get ripped [off] every year about our minerals from Greenland. We are the richest nation in the world, and we don’t get to use it.”
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