Pentagon Contradicts Trump's Hospital Ship Announcement for Greenland
The Pentagon has reportedly not received any orders to deploy a hospital ship to Greenland, directly contradicting claims made by former President Donald Trump over the weekend. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the military was not instructed to send any Navy vessels, with both of the Navy's hospital ships currently docked at a shipyard in Alabama.
Trump's Social Media Announcement
On Saturday, President Trump took to Truth Social to announce what he described as a humanitarian mission to Greenland. "Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there," Trump wrote, accompanying his post with an image of the Navy's USNS Mercy hospital ship and declaring, "It's on the way!!!"
The Independent reached out to the Navy, Pentagon, and White House for comment regarding the apparent discrepancy between the presidential announcement and military readiness.
Danish Emergency Evacuation Coincides With Trump's Post
Coincidentally, on the same day as Trump's social media post, the Danish military conducted an emergency medical evacuation of a crew member from a US submarine operating near Greenland. The patient was transported via helicopter to a hospital in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, for treatment.
Greenland and Denmark Officials Reject Offer
Leaders in both Greenland and Denmark quickly dismissed the suggestion that a US hospital ship was needed in their territory. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded firmly on Facebook, stating, "That will be a 'no thanks' from us."
"President Trump's idea to send a US hospital ship here to Greenland has been duly noted," Nielsen added. "But we have a public health system where care is free for citizens."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed this sentiment in a separate statement, writing, "Happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all. Where it's not insurances and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment. You have the same approach in Greenland."
Landry's Angry Response to Criticism
Jeff Landry, who served as the special US envoy to Greenland in addition to his role as Louisiana Governor, reacted angrily to the officials' condemnation. "Shame on Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen!" he wrote on X on Sunday.
"After speaking to many Greenlanders about the day to day problems they face, one issue stood out—healthcare," Landry continued. "Many villages and small towns lack basic services that Americans often take for granted."
Broader Context of US-Greenland Tensions
The confusion over the hospital ship mission occurs against a backdrop of ongoing tensions between the United States and Greenland. President Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring or potentially invading Greenland, despite opposition from local officials and European partners.
In January, Trump publicly swore off using military force against Greenland and retreated from threats to impose tariffs on US allies who opposed his territorial ambitions. He claimed at the time that the US and NATO allies had reached a "framework of a future deal" concerning the Arctic island territory.
The conflicting narratives highlight the complex diplomatic relationship between the United States and Greenland, with healthcare becoming the latest point of contention in a series of disagreements over sovereignty and international relations.
