Trump Administration Considers Direct Payments to Greenland Residents in Renewed Push for Arctic Territory

Washington, D.C. — January 8, 2026

In a bold escalation of President Donald Trump's long-standing ambition to acquire Greenland, White House officials are reportedly exploring the idea of offering substantial cash payments directly to the island's residents as part of efforts to secure U.S. control over the world's largest island.

Sources familiar with internal discussions told Reuters that aides have debated lump-sum incentives ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person to encourage Greenlanders to support secession from Denmark and potential integration with the United States. With Greenland's population hovering around 57,000, a $100,000-per-person offer could total nearly $6 billion.

The proposals come amid heightened tensions following Trump's recent reiteration that Greenland is essential for American national security. The president has cited the need to counter perceived Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic, though analysts note that existing U.S.-Danish agreements already grant broad military access to the territory, including the strategic Pituffik Space Base.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Wednesday that Trump and his national security team are "actively" discussing a potential purchase of Greenland from Denmark, emphasizing diplomacy as the preferred approach while not ruling out other options, including military force.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has briefed lawmakers that the administration's goal is to buy the island rather than invade it, with talks scheduled next week with Danish counterparts.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly rejected any sale, warning that U.S. aggression toward a NATO ally would spell the "end" of the alliance. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed this, calling Trump's rhetoric "utterly unacceptable" and stressing that the island's future will be decided by its own people and Denmark.

Polls indicate strong opposition among Greenlanders to U.S. annexation, with around 85% against absorption despite interest in greater independence from Copenhagen. Many residents view direct payments skeptically, with some local voices describing earlier U.S. outreach efforts as distasteful.

Trump's interest in Greenland dates back to his first term in 2019, when a similar purchase proposal was dismissed by Denmark as absurd. The issue resurfaced in 2025 with floated ideas of annual $10,000 payments to replace Danish subsidies, and has intensified following recent U.S. military actions abroad.Critics argue the payment strategy resembles economic coercion, while supporters frame it as a generous incentive to unlock Greenland's vast mineral resources and strategic position amid melting Arctic ice opening new shipping routes.

As diplomatic channels remain open, European leaders have rallied in support of Denmark, closely monitoring developments that could strain trans-Atlantic relations. The White House insists any acquisition would bolster global security and deter adversaries in the resource-rich Arctic region. 17GEN4.com