A strange headline made waves this week: the White House reportedly told Denmark to “calm down” over secret U.S. operations in Greenland. That’s right — calm down. The story, first picked up by the BBC and then circulated widely, claims American citizens tied to President Donald Trump may be working behind the scenes in Greenland, trying to influence the territory. But is that really happening, or is this just another case of international nerves getting the best of people?
Let’s break it down.
Greenland is a huge island in the North Atlantic. It’s technically part of the Kingdom of Denmark, though it governs itself in many ways. It’s also home to a major U.S. military base called Thule Air Base, which has been there since the 1950s. That base is a key piece of America’s defense system, especially when it comes to watching the skies over the Arctic.
The latest tension started when a media report suggested that Americans close to President Trump may be trying to run secret influence campaigns in Greenland. The report didn’t give solid proof, and so far, no one has confirmed that anything illegal or covert has actually happened. Newsweek, which reported on the BBC’s coverage, said it could not verify the claims independently.
Still, the idea caused a stir in Denmark. Leaders there were quick to raise concerns, especially since this isn’t the first time Greenland has been in the spotlight during Trump’s presidency.
Back in Trump’s first term, he openly expressed interest in buying Greenland from Denmark. He said it was a strategic move for national security and for access to valuable rare earth minerals found on the island. Denmark flatly rejected the idea, and the whole thing was written off by many in the media as a joke. But Trump wasn’t joking. He believed that Greenland could play a vital role in America’s defense and economic future.
Now, in Trump’s second term, the issue has come up again — even if this time it’s not about buying the island outright. Instead, the concern is about possible private efforts by Americans to gain influence in Greenland. Whether they are doing this with the White House’s knowledge or approval is unclear.
When asked about the reports, a White House official responded with a simple message to Denmark: “Calm down.” That response, while brief, says a lot. It suggests the White House doesn’t see these claims as a serious threat or problem. It also hints that Denmark might be overreacting — or possibly trying to stir up drama where there is none.
So what’s really happening?
From what we can tell, there is no hard evidence of any secret U.S. operations in Greenland. There are international interests in the island, and the U.S. has had a presence there for decades. Trump has been clear about seeing Greenland as important to America’s future. But that’s not the same as running hidden campaigns or trying to “infiltrate” the territory.
It’s also worth asking why this story is popping up now. Some European leaders remain uneasy about Trump’s foreign policy style — direct, bold, and unapologetic. There’s also growing competition over the Arctic, with China and Russia eyeing the region’s natural resources and shipping routes. Greenland, sitting right in the middle, has suddenly become a hot piece of real estate.
Denmark, perhaps feeling the pressure, may be trying to get ahead of any moves by the U.S. or others. But jumping to conclusions without facts only adds confusion.
In the end, this may be more about politics and perception than anything else. The United States has long valued Greenland for its location and resources. President Trump has been more open than most leaders about that interest. But until solid evidence appears, the idea of secret American operations remains just that — an idea.
For now, the message from the White House stands: calm down. And until someone shows real proof of wrongdoing, that might be the best advice.