Danish lawmaker addressing EU tells Trump to ‘f— off’ over Greenland bid

Anders Vistisen, a Danish Member of European Parliament (MEP) from the right-wing Danish People’s Party, recently expressed his strong opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempts to acquire Greenland. In a passionate speech at an EU session in Strasbourg, France, Vistisen made it clear that Greenland, which has been part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years, is not for sale or cession.

Addressing President Trump directly, Vistisen stated, “Greenland has been an integrated part of our country for centuries, and it is not for sale.” In a pointed remark that seemed to mirror Trump’s own blunt style, Vistisen added, “Mr. Trump, f— off.” This language drew a formal reprimand from European Parliament Vice President Nicolae Ștefănuță, who emphasized the importance of respectful discourse within the parliamentary setting.

Both the Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen have firmly rejected any notion of selling Greenland to the United States. Greenland, which enjoys relative autonomy in domestic affairs but relies on Denmark for foreign policy and support, has been adamant about maintaining its sovereignty.

While the U.S. does have a presence on Greenland through the U.S. Space Force at Pituffik Air Base, attempts to purchase Danish territories are not new. Over a century ago, the U.S. successfully acquired what are now the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) from Denmark. This purchase was formalized through a treaty ratified by King Christian X of Denmark and the U.S. Senate in 1916, under then-President Woodrow Wilson.

The USVI residents were later granted full citizenship through a 1932 act of Congress. With its roots as the Danish West Indies and a history that includes British expatriates, the USVI remains a unique U.S. territory where driving on the left side of the road is the law.

Despite historical precedents, the resistance from Danish and Greenlandic leaders underscores the deep attachment to Greenland’s cultural and historical significance. Vistisen’s impassioned defense of Greenland’s sovereignty reflects the sentiment shared by many in Denmark and Greenland, who view the island as an integral part of their national identity.