Donald Trump Jr is set to arrive in Greenland for a private visit to film podcast content, just weeks after his father renewed controversial claims about US control of the autonomous Danish territory.
The President-elect’s eldest son will make a day trip to the world’s largest island, where he plans to shoot “video content for podcasting” without meeting Nuuk officials, reports have claimed.
Mininnguaq Kleist, head of Greenland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, confirmed Trump Jr would arrive on Tuesday for the private visit.
The Greenlandic Government has received no requests for official meetings during the visit.
Donald Trump Jr
REUTERS
Local media suggests Trump Jr might meet with Erik Jensen, chairman of the governing party Siumut and the territory’s finance minister, though this remains unconfirmed.
Prime Minister Mute B Egede has not commented on the visit.
The timing of the visit follows his father’s recent declaration about Greenland’s strategic importance to the United States.
“For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Donald Trump said in a statement last month.
Prime Minister Egede’s response was unequivocal. He said: “Greenland is ours.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Greenland
REUTERS
The visit comes amid heightened tensions over Greenland’s future, with Prime Minister Egede using his New Year’s speech to advocate for independence from Denmark.
Egede called for the territory to break free from “the shackles of colonialism”.
The autonomous territory, which gained home rule from Denmark in 1979, is set to hold elections no later than April 6.
King Frederik of Denmark recently modified his royal coat of arms to feature Greenland more prominently, declaring in his New Year’s address that the Kingdom of Denmark was united “all the way to Greenland”.
Elon Musk, a close adviser to the President-elect, weighed in on the controversy via X, the social media platform he owns.
“The People of Greenland should decide their future and I think they want to be part of America!” Musk wrote on Monday.
Donald Trump
REUTERS
Trump Jr, who hosts the bi-weekly podcast “Triggered With Don Jr.,” has become a prominent figure in his father’s political movement.
While serving on his father’s transition team, Trump Jr stated he will not join the administration, preferring to remain an external supporter.
During his first term, the 45th President had previously expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, even cancelling a scheduled Denmark visit in August 2019 after his proposal was dismissed.
The strategic territory, situated between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, is 80 per cent covered by an ice sheet and hosts a US military base.
Aaja Chemnitz, a Member of Greenland’s Parliament, criticised over his comments.
She said: “Trump’s hot dreams of expanding his empire to include our country.
“Don’t let Trump control the Greenland election campaign and leave the population as losers in that game.”
+ There are no comments
Add yours