‘He Is Trolling People’: Trump’s Ex-Adviser Reveals The Real Reason Behind His Greenland Obsession

Last Updated:July 10, 2026, 15:02 IST

At the NATO summit, Trump again demanded US control of Greenland, calling it crucial to American security and questioning Denmark’s ability to protect it.

Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton has claimed that President Donald Trump repeatedly talks about taking control of Greenland because the provocative demand “drives people crazy".

Bolton’s remarks came after Trump revived his longstanding push for US control of the strategically important Arctic territory at the NATO summit in Ankara.

Asked by a Euronews whether Trump’s repeated assertions about taking Greenland should be taken seriously, Bolton said the president was “trolling people" and recalled an exchange from his first term in the White House.

“He is trolling people. In the first term, I was in his office once. He was dictating a tweet, and he told the person typing the tweet, ‘Capitalize all the letters in that last sentence.’ Then he turned to me and said, ‘Do you know why I just said that?’ And, I said, ‘No, why?’ And he said, ‘Because it drives them crazy,’" Bolton said.

“So why does he talk about taking Greenland? Because it drives them crazy," the former Trump adviser added.

Trump Revives Greenland Demand

Trump renewed his demand while speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, saying Greenland should be controlled by the United States rather than Denmark.

The US president argued that the semi-autonomous Danish territory was vital to American security. He also accused Denmark of failing to invest enough in Greenland’s defence as Russian and Chinese activity in the region grows.

“That’s what hurt my relationship with NATO, because Greenland doesn’t help Denmark. Denmark doesn’t spend money to really help Greenland, but it’s an important part for the United States, and it’s surrounded by China ships and Russian ships, and that’s not going to happen," he said.

“They (Denmark) wouldn’t go along with it, and with all the money we spend to help them with Russia."

Denmark Rejects Trump’s Claim

Trump’s comments drew an immediate response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who rejected any suggestion that Greenland’s sovereignty was open for negotiation.

Frederiksen said Denmark was prepared to defend every part of the Danish kingdom, including Greenland. “We are ready to defend every inch of NATO, including our own territory … Of course we will defend the kingdom of Denmark," Frederiksen said.

“One of the reasons why we have built NATO many, many years ago is if anything happens to one of us, then everybody should stand up for each other," she said.

Greenland’s leaders have also repeatedly maintained that the territory is not for sale and that its future must be decided by its people.

Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Its location between North America, Europe and the Arctic makes it strategically important for missile detection, military surveillance and monitoring Russian and Chinese activity in the region.

The United States already operates the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland and has been holding talks with Denmark and Greenland over expanding its military presence under existing defence arrangements.

About the Author

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo...Read More

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