Second Lady's Tour de Force to Greenland Comes With a Soft Ultimatum

As tensions explode ahead of 'aggressive' Usha Vance visit, Trump issues new 14-word warning to Greenland 

Story by Yiannis Damellos

"I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future." This is how President Donald Trump doubled down on his commitment to claim Greenland ahead of Second Lady Usha Vance's controversial trip to the territory.

Second Lady Usha Vance is among a cadre of senior U.S. officials dispatched to Greenland this week, alongside notable figures such as National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The purpose of Waltz's visit remains unspecified; however, Vance's itinerary includes visits to historical sites and participation in cultural events like a prominent dogsled race, as part of an initiative to enhance understanding of Greenlandic heritage, according to statements from the White House.

Now, why in the name of God the Vice President's wife would want to enhance her understanding of Greenlandic heritage, is the million-dollar question.

Vance is set to embark on this visit with her son from Thursday to Saturday, a move that has sparked discontent among the Greenlandic populace. Prime Minister Múte Egede has condemned the trip as "highly aggressive," particularly in light of President Trump's prior threats to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory since the commencement of his second term.

Prime Minister Egede framed the visit as a provocative gesture by the Trump administration, emphasizing that neither Greenlandic nor Danish officials extended an invitation to the U.S. delegation. "We have reached a juncture where this cannot be dismissed as a mere courtesy call by a politician's spouse," Egede asserted in an interview with the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq. "What, pray tell, is the security advisor's purpose in Greenland?"

Egede further articulated concerns regarding the underlying implications of the visit, stating, "The intent appears to be a display of force, sending a message that is unequivocally clear." Egede noted that Waltz, as a trusted confidant of President Trump, is likely to reinforce the belief in Trump's agenda, escalating diplomatic pressure in the aftermath of the visit.

Both Greenlandic and Danish officials have steadfastly reiterated that Greenland is not for sale, paralleling sentiments expressed by other nations like Canada, which Trump has similarly threatened amid ongoing tariff disputes and resource exploration endeavors.

In a related development from late January, Trump dispatched his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., to Greenland following his controversial overtures to purchase the territory, which were met with skepticism and concern from local residents.