Greenland is on billionaires' menu and Trump is their Michelin Chef

The Greek Courier

Edited by Yiannis Damellos

Source: Forbes, Martina Di Licosa

Saturday, January 10, 2026

Mother Jones illustration; Evan Vucci/AP; 

Michael Kappeler/Picture Alliance/Getty

Estée Lauder heir convinced Trump to take Greenland in 2018, John Bolton confirmed to Forbes. Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg followed suit.

In a twist worthy of a political thriller, the world's wealthiest individuals have set their sights on Greenland—a land rich in minerals and promise, now caught in the crosshairs of ambition and power. As rumors swirl about President Trump’s intentions to forcibly acquire the territory, whispers in the corridors of power reveal that a cadre of billionaires is pulling the strings behind the scenes, reshaping global alliances for profit.

The Scheme Unfolds

Once a mere concept, the idea of taking Greenland gained steam when Ronald Lauder, heir to the Estée Lauder fortune, broached it with Trump back in 2018. John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, confirmed to Forbes that this exchange sparked what would become a sweeping initiative involving some of the wealthiest and most influential figures on the planet. 

According to Forbes, Lauder and Trump share a longstanding personal connection, having attended the Wharton School of Business together. Lauder, an ardent supporter of conservative candidates and causes, notably contributed $5 million to MAGA Inc., a super PAC that backs Trump, as reported by the Federal Election Commission. His ambitions regarding Greenland and its resources are well-documented. In a recent op-ed in the New York Post, he outlined ways the U.S. could increase its influence over Greenland without outright purchase, proposing ideas like a new trilateral agreement with Greenland and Denmark to enhance Arctic cooperation. Furthermore, at 81, Lauder has invested in a local freshwater bottling company and is pushing for a hydroelectric power station at Greenland's largest lake through Greenland Development Partners, a Delaware-based consortium linked to Greenland Investment Group, chaired by former U.S. deputy secretary of state Josette Sheeran.

According to the Danish newspaper Politiken, the unprofitable Greenlandic freshwater bottling company is co-owned by Jørgen Wæver Johansen, local chair of the governing Siumut party in Nuuk and husband to Greenland’s minister of foreign affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt, raising concerns about political interference.

With Lauder laying the groundwork, the likes of Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Michael Bloomberg followed suit, rapidly funneling investments into ventures poised to exploit Greenland’s abundant resources.

In the thick of this ambition is Kobold Metals, a company supported by the billionaire trio that aims to unearth the rare earth minerals vital for the tech industry. 

As Martina Di Licosa explains, the investments were channeled through Breakthrough Energy, a fund spearheaded by Gates, which aims to "accelerate green energy innovation and build the industries of the future." The fund also participated in Kobold’s Series C investment round in December 2024, which brought the company’s valuation to nearly $3 billion, following a significant capital input of $537 million as stated in a company press release. In 2022, Altman joined the fray through his venture capital firm, Apollo Projects, contributing to Kobold’s Series B round, which totaled $192.5 million. A recent SEC filing indicates that Kobold is currently seeking additional funds, paving the way for potential re-engagement with the billionaires as Greenland captures increased attention. 

Peter Thiel, the Paypal and Palantir tech titan funded in early 2021 the startup Praxis, which aims to build a technologically advanced “freedom city” on the island.

Elon Musk, meanwhile, has publicly voiced his support for an American annexation of Greenland multiple times, writing, “If the people of Greenland want to be part of America, which I hope they do, they would be most welcome,” on X last January.

None of the billionaires mentioned responded to Forbes’ inquiry for comments.

While these investments appear to be fueled by a desire for innovation, the underlying motive is clear: fortune. And as plans to control this icy expanse unfold, the consequences are staggering—NATO’s collective resolve teeters in the face of American military posturing, and geopolitics tremble under the weight of capital and greed.