Poll results released this week by Rasmussen Reports found that more than two-thirds of Republican voters would support President-elect Donald Trump’s suggested purchase of Greenland.
Rasmussen Reports surveyed 1,211 likely U.S. voters on Jan. 8, 9 and 12. Per the results, 70% of Republicans said they would support buying Greenland, while just 23% of Democrats said they would support the purchase. It is unclear how much it would cost to buy the island. David Barker, a real estate developer and former economist at the New York Fed, estimated could be worth between $12.5 billion and $77 billion, per the New York Times.
According to the Central Intelligence Agency, Greenland, the world’s largest island is about 80% ice capped. Danish colonization of the island began in the 18th century and it became part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. Although it joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 “over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas,” the CIA said.
Today, Greenland – home to around 56,000 people – remains a member of the EU’s Overseas Countries and Territories Association. Greenland voted in favor of self-government in 2008 but Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of the island.
The Conversation noted in a recent article that at least one U.S. president has tried to buy Greenland before – in 1946, President Harry Truman offered to buy it for $100 million in gold. That outlet also said that Trump first floated the idea of the U.S. quiring Greenland in 2019, back during his first term in office.
So far, Denmark has rebuffed all offers from the U.S. to purchase the island, which reportedly has resources such as coal and precious metals as well as a U.S. military base hiding under ice. However, Axios reported that the “Danish government sent private messages to the Trump team expressing willingness to discuss increased U.S. military presence in Greenland.”
Audacy also reported Sunday that Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede, shared last week that he was “ready” to begin talks with Trump. This Monday, we reported on a poll that found a majority of respondents in Greenland support joining the U.S.
Trump appears determined to gain control of Greenland for the U.S. He has said that it is an “absolute necessity,” and has even refused to rule out using military action to acquire it. His son, Donald Trump Jr. even visited the island territory last week, Axios said.
This week, Fox News Digital reported that Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) has drafted the “Make Greenland Great Again Act” that would authorize Trump to enter negotiations with Denmark over purchasing Greenland. Along with Ogles, a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus, the bill has 10 cosponsors.
To be approved by Congress, the bill would need more than just Republican support, Axios said. While some high-profile Democrats – including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) – have criticized the proposal, others – including Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) – seem at least somewhat open to the idea.
On the other hand, current Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the plan is “obviously not a good one,” and he doesn’t believe it will happen.
Greenland isn’t the only territory Trump has his sights on. He’s also mentioned merging with Canada and taking back the Panama Canal. Republicans have also drafted legislation for the canal proposal, and GOP voters surveyed by Rasmussen were even more supportive of that plan than the potential acquisition of Greenland, with 73% in favor of taking it back.