US President Donald Trump has offered sending an American hospital ship to Greenland, saying he was working with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to dispatch a medical vessel to the Arctic territory. The proposal, announced on Truth Social, comes, of course, amid ongoing tensions over Trump's repeated statements that he would like the United States to take control of Greenland.
Trump on Truth Social: "Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It's on the way!!! President DJT"
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded with a firm but measured rejection, saying "no thanks" to the offer. In a post on Facebook, he noted that Greenland already operates a public healthcare system that provides free treatment to its citizens and described that model as a deliberate political choice.
Nielsen on Facebook: "On Monday night, we said thank you, but no thanks. President Trump wants to send an American hospital ship to Greenland. But we already have free healthcare here, available to everyone. Let me be clear: healthcare is incredibly important in any society. In the US, getting medical treatment can be very expensive. We're open to dialogue. He's in charge of communications. Let's talk online and have a proper conversation. We need to know who attacked the flag, who got angry, and who was behind the attack."
The exchange comes as Greenland, Denmark and the United States have launched diplomatic talks to ease months of friction within NATO. Trump's hospital ship suggestion followed the evacuation of a crew member from a US submarine near Greenlandic waters, though it remains unclear whether the two events are connected...