President Trump announced a deal with Denmark to expand the U.S. military presence in Greenland, prompting backlash after a pro-Trump image overlaid the American flag on the island. Greenlandic advocates and officials said the visual falsely implied a transfer of sovereignty; they insist the agreement preserves Danish and Greenlandic authority. The pact—whose formal text has not been released—is reported to bar China and Russia from bases in Greenland and to restrict certain adversarial investments. The agreement is expected to be signed at the U.N. General Assembly but still requires parliamentary approval in Denmark and Greenland.
U.S. Flag Superimposed on Greenland Sparks Outcry After Trump Announces Security Deal With Denmark
A flag of Greenland is on display Qoornoq, Greenland on September 6, 2026 during a visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (back L), Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen (back R) and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
A widely shared image of Greenland overlaid with the U.S. flag prompted anger from Greenlandic advocates after President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Denmark to increase the U.S. military presence on the island. Critics said the graphic misrepresents the deal and amounts to propaganda that implies a transfer of sovereignty that Greenland and Denmark deny.
Background
On Friday, Mr. Trump described the arrangement as giving the United States "permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns." Danish and Greenlandic officials have insisted the agreement preserves Danish and Greenlandic sovereignty and does not transfer ownership of the island.
Public Reaction
Orla Joelson, a prominent defender of Greenlandic sovereignty who previously condemned suggestions the U.S. could seize the island, called the image "shameless propaganda." Joelson and others criticized social media posts implying Greenland had become U.S. territory, saying the announced deal expands military access but does not transfer sovereignty.
The graphic at the center of the backlash was posted by Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, who overlaid the U.S. flag on a map of Greenland. Miller had shared a similar image in January that included the word "SOON," a post that prompted Denmark's ambassador to the U.S., Jesper Møller Sørensen, to urge Washington to "respect" Denmark's territory.
What the Deal Appears To Do
Observers say the announcement appears to be an extension of a 1951 agreement that allowed the United States to build and operate military bases in Greenland. The formal text of the new agreement has not been released, so it remains unclear which provisions—if any—are new.
Citing a U.S. State Department official, the Associated Press reported that the pact would bar China and Russia from establishing bases in Greenland and would limit certain adversarial investments on the island. U.S. officials framed the agreement in strategic terms; some media and analysts noted the United States already maintains a presence on Greenland and has long-standing rights to operate and expand bases in coordination with Denmark and NATO.
Next Steps And Political Process
Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said the three governments plan to sign the agreement at the United Nations General Assembly. She cautioned that parliamentary approval will still be required in both Denmark and Greenland before the arrangement can take full effect.
Greenland's prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said the deal benefits the three governments and "recognizes Greenland's interests." Newsweek has contacted Joelson, the Danish foreign ministry and the U.S. State Department for comment.
International Context
The announcement has rekindled attention because Mr. Trump previously floated the idea of buying or seizing Greenland, a suggestion that alarmed NATO allies and drew international criticism. Observers say any new agreement could likely have been implemented without the heightened rhetoric and social media imagery that suggested a transfer of sovereignty.
Image note: A flag of Greenland was on display in Qoornoq, Greenland, on September 6, 2026, during a visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
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