President Trump has his eyes set on one thing. Vice President Vance is on the mission.
And now VP Vance has given President Trump a huge update on Trump’s most prized plan.
Trump’s Greenland Gambit: A Bold Vision for Arctic Dominance
Vice President JD Vance took a decisive step onto the icy terrain of Greenland on Friday, visiting the U.S. military’s northernmost outpost, Pituffik Space Base. His message was clear and confident: the Trump administration sees no need for military force in Greenland, despite President Donald Trump’s blunt declaration the same day that “We have to have Greenland.” The visit, accompanied by second lady Usha Vance, national security adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Utah Sen. Mike Lee, signaled a renewed focus on America’s strategic interests in the Arctic—interests the administration believes have been neglected for far too long.
President Trump has made no secret of his ambition to bring Greenland under American influence, a goal he reiterated to reporters at the White House. “We need Greenland, very importantly, for international security,” he said with characteristic resolve. “We have to have Greenland. It’s not a question of, ‘Do you think we can do without it?’ We can’t.” For Trump, the sprawling, ice-covered island isn’t just a geopolitical prize—it’s a necessity. And while he hasn’t ruled out force, Vance’s remarks in Greenland painted a picture of a more diplomatic approach, one rooted in the art of the deal that Trump has long championed.
Standing amid the stark beauty of Pituffik, Vance laid out a vision where Greenlanders themselves could pave the way for a closer relationship with the U.S. “What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose through self-determination to become independent of Denmark, and then we’re going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there,” he told reporters.
Dismissing speculation about military action, he added, “We do not think that military force is ever going to be necessary. We think this makes sense. And because we think the people of Greenland are rational and good, we think we’re going to be able to cut a deal, Donald Trump style, to ensure the security of this territory but also the United States of America.”
The vice president’s trip wasn’t just a photo op—it was a chance to see firsthand why Greenland matters. Vance pointed to the base’s critical role in national defense, noting that if an enemy missile were launched at the U.S., it’d be the soldiers stationed there who sound the alarm. With Russia and China eyeing the Arctic’s resources and strategic potential, the Trump administration is determined to assert American leadership in the region.
Vance didn’t mince words about Denmark’s role, either, accusing the longtime ally of letting the base’s security slip. “The U.S. base in Greenland is less secure than it was decades ago because of Denmark’s stewardship,” he said, signaling a shift in tone from past administrations.
Vance didn’t stop at logistics—he took aim at Denmark’s broader governance of Greenland. “There is no amount of bullying, no amount of obfuscating, no amount of confusing the issue,” he declared. “Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland, you have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.” It’s a stance that aligns with Trump’s no-nonsense approach: identify the problem, call it out, and fix it—preferably with a deal that benefits America first.
The visit itself evolved from a planned cultural trip by Usha Vance into a high-stakes policy mission when the vice president announced he’d join her. What started as an exploration of Greenland’s heritage became a platform to advance the Trump administration’s Arctic agenda. The shift underscores the urgency Trump and his team feel about securing Greenland, a territory roughly three times the size of Texas but home to just 57,000 people—fewer than live in Carson City, Nevada. Most cling to the island’s southern coast, surrounded by vast ice sheets, making it a unique challenge and opportunity.
While Vance toured the base, he took time to honor the soldiers stationed there, who endure year-long deployments without their families. “I know it’s a lot of sacrifice to spend a year away from your families, but the mission is really important,” he told them. “The Trump administration, the president, is really interested in Arctic security. As you all know, that’s a big issue, and it’s only going to get bigger over the coming decade, so thanks for doing what you do.” National security adviser Mike Waltz echoed that sentiment, telling the troops they’re upholding a proud tradition of American presence in Greenland—a tradition Trump intends to expand.
That tradition stretches back to World War II, when the U.S. built bases in Greenland to thwart Nazi advances in the North Atlantic. During the Cold War, it became a bulwark against Soviet missile threats. A statement from Vance’s office earlier in the week drove the point home: “In the decades since, neglect and inaction from Danish leaders and past U.S. administrations have presented our adversaries with the opportunity to advance their own priorities in Greenland and the Arctic. President Trump is rightly changing course.” It’s a narrative that casts Trump as the decisive leader willing to reclaim what others let slip.
For his part, Trump remains undeterred by Greenland’s leaders and residents, who’ve largely opposed his overtures. Earlier this month, addressing Congress, he extended an olive branch wrapped in a challenge. “I have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland: We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” he said. It’s a classic Trump move—offering partnership while leaving little doubt about his endgame.
The president’s confidence shines through in his insistence that Greenland will join the U.S. fold. “And I think we’re going to get it, one way or the other,” he told reporters. “We’re going to get it. We will keep you safe, we will make you rich, and together, we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before. It’s a very small population, but very, very large piece of land, and very, very important for military security.” For Trump, it’s not just about territory—it’s about prosperity and protection, delivered with his signature flair.
Critics might see this as overreach, but the administration views it as overdue. Greenland’s strategic value—its proximity to North America, its radar capabilities, its untapped resources—makes it a linchpin in Trump’s vision for a secure and dominant America. Vance’s trip reinforced that message, blending optimism about Greenland’s future with a sharp critique of Denmark’s past. The administration isn’t asking permission—it’s setting the stage for a negotiation where America comes out on top.
As the Arctic grows hotter in geopolitical terms, the Trump team is betting on Greenland as a cornerstone of U.S. strength. Whether through diplomacy or determination, they’re committed to making it happen. Vance summed it up in Greenland: no force needed, just a deal that works for America and, in their view, for Greenlanders too. It’s a gamble, but if anyone’s going to pull it off, Trump’s track record suggests he’s the man for the job.
