Trump's Greenland Idea Isn't New. The US Has Pursued It at Least 3 Times Before

CBN ^ | 01/09/2026 | R.J. Rico

[DFG]

President Donald Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark fits into a long, little-known pattern in U.S. history. From quiet discussions after the Civil War to a $100 million offer in the wake of World War II, American leaders have repeatedly seen Greenland as a strategic prize.

Here's a look:

1867–1868: Early US interest after the Alaska purchase

After the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia, officials under Secretary of State William Seward discussed acquiring Greenland as part of a broader push into the Arctic.

Seward noted the territory was rich in natural resources, including coal. But the idea never advanced to a formal offer, as Congress had little interest in pursuing another Arctic acquisition.

1910: Proposed land swap involving Greenland

Under President William Howard Taft, American diplomats floated a complex land-exchange plan that would have transferred Greenland to the United States in return for concessions elsewhere. Denmark rejected the proposal, and it quickly collapsed.

1946: Formal post–World War II purchase offer

At the outset of the Cold War, President Harry Truman's administration formally offered Denmark $100 million in gold to buy Greenland, citing its strategic importance. During World War II, a U.S.-built airfield on the island had served as a major refueling point for military planes en route to Europe.

Denmark rejected Truman's offer, though the U.S. retained military access. That presence continues today at the remote Pituffik Space Base, the U.S. Department of Defense's northernmost installation.

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TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: 5thcolumonfr; butbutbuttrumpler; cbn; dfg; frtraitorslist; godsgravesglyphs; greenland; harrytruman; literallyhitler; multiplefrnicks; rjrico; williamhowardtaft; williamseward

[AZJeep]

The money they seem to offer is less than we pay Somalis to stary here!
Good move.

The Greenland problem is that they are so small in population.
Just about 55,000, the size of midsize town.
As long the Danish control them, it seems safe.
But there is independence movement there, and that’s scary.
I just do not see independent Greenland to stay independent too long.
Russia or China would swallow them in a minute.
And now we have real problem!

[Sacajaweau]

The Dems make it like Trump is a loose cannon...but apparently this came about...first by looking at a damn map....and second...noting what has been presented previously.

We're at a different point in time now...Greenland does not need Denmark is if it has the United States as its guardian.

Look to the Hawaiian Islands as an example.

I predict that Greenland will become the 51st state.

Except it would mess up the flag.....

[marktwain]

The best deal for Greenland would be something like what Puerto Rico has. They get U.S. citizenship and self government, no income taxes, and the protection of the United States.

[imabadboy99]

Let’s trade them CA (sans the state of Jefferson) for Greenland

[imabadboy99]

we don’t need 2 more ‘hawaii’ senators

[Sacajaweau]

No reason to believe they would be Dems.

[PIF]

Just about 55,000, the size of midsize town.

—
50,000 as of the Jan 2025 census; population is aging out as young leave for jobs other than commercial fishing.

[Vaduz]

I we don’t get Greenland Trump is right China or Russia will bad news follows.

[chajin]

It doesn’t have to be a state, barring some major population growth it should never be a state.

Greeeenland could be its own territory like VI or Guam, or even be added to Maine—that way it could be part of the U.S. Maineland.

[Sequoyah101]

I did not know they don’t pay income tax. That cesspool rides the taxpayer and contributes nothing?

[Vermont Lt]

We could give each of them a million dollars and be done with it.

[marktwain]

They don’t pay income taxes on income earned in Puerto Rico.

https://www.taxesforexpats.com/articles/expat-tax-rules/do-puerto-rico-residents-owe-us-tax.html

[marktwain]

I think a million each could work. About 50 billion for the territory.

A pretty good deal.

[sauropod]

.

[POGO163]

Russia can’t take Ukraine... They can’t take anything. China can’t take Taiwan, they don’t have a navy that can sail to Greenland. The US has wanted Greenland in the past but Trump is the first to claim he will Steal it.

[redinIllinois]

.

[pepsi_junkie]

If it gets real traction and actually happens, the dems will switch to saying it was not really Trumps idea, those other Presidents deserve the credit, lus it’s evil and that part is Trump’s fault

[Sacajaweau]

That sounds about right....

[SunkenCiv]

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