Jeff Landry, serving as Donald Trump’s special envoy, made an unofficial visit to Nuuk and attended the "Future Greenland" conference on May 19–20 without scheduled political meetings. Video clips showed a hostile reception from some residents, including refusals of MAGA hats and shouted rebukes. Landry described the trip as relationship-building, while critics — including Republican Rep. Don Bacon — objected to his remarks. Greenland’s premier stressed that self-determination is non-negotiable, underscoring diplomatic sensitivities around the island.
Trump Envoy Jeff Landry Leaves Nuuk After Unofficial Visit and Hostile Reception
CHRISTIAN KLINDT SOELBECK / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima(CHRISTIAN KLINDT SOELBECK)
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, acting as a special envoy appointed by former President Donald Trump, concluded an unofficial trip to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, this week after a rocky reception and limited official engagement.
Landry arrived on Sunday and attended the “Future Greenland” conference on May 19–20, but Reuters reported he had no confirmed meetings with Greenlandic politicians. The event’s organizers told Reuters they had not formally invited Landry and that the conference was open to anyone who registered.
Trump appointed Landry special envoy to Greenland in December. / Carlos Barria / REUTERS
Speaking to Danish broadcaster DR, Landry said President Trump had asked him to “go over there and make a bunch of friends, as many friends as we can.” In a farewell post on X, he thanked Greenlanders for their hospitality, said he hoped to deepen ties, and expressed regret that he only had time to visit Nuuk.
But video clips circulating online painted a different picture of his reception. Footage showed some residents giving Landry the middle finger, children declining MAGA hats, and a young boy refusing a photo request. Another clip captured a woman shouting, “Don’t come here—go home!” as Landry walked through Nuuk.
Greenlanders protesting against Trump in January. / Marko Djurica / REUTERS
Press Exchange and Political Fallout
When local reporters asked why he had come, Landry said, “This is all about building a relationship… Greenland was not on the map until Donald Trump put it on the map,” a comment that drew criticism. Republican Rep. Don Bacon wrote on X: “Greenland has been on the map for centuries. And… it is our ally. Stop treating our friends like dirt.”
Asked why he arrived without an invitation, Landry compared the situation to showing up uninvited in Louisiana. When pressed about whether Trump still wanted Greenland to become part of the U.S., Landry said, “You’ll have to talk to the president yourself,” while maintaining that the trip aimed to create “opportunities” for Greenlanders.
Talks With Greenlandic Leaders
Landry later met Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who acknowledged “progress” in talks with American representatives but emphasized that “the Greenlandic people are not for sale. Greenlandic self-determination is not something that can be negotiated.”
After Landry joked that local children could visit Louisiana and “have all the chocolate chip cookies you can eat,” Nielsen replied: “We have our red lines. And no matter how many chocolate cookies we get, we are not going to change them.” Landry responded: “There’s only one line and it’s red, white and blue.”
The episode underscores the sensitivity surrounding Greenland’s autonomy and growing international interest in the Arctic. While Landry framed the trip as relationship-building, the mixed reception and public rebukes highlighted local resistance to outside pressure and the importance Greenlandic leaders place on self-determination.
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