The eldest son of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has been accused of bribing disadvantaged Greenlanders to show support for his father’s controversial plans to annex the territory, according to a report by Danish public broadcaster DR.
Sources claimed that some individuals featured in a pro-Trump campaign video, filmed at a restaurant in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, were homeless or socially disadvantaged. Social media photos from the event allegedly showed similar participants, DR reported on Thursday.
Trump’s office did not respond to the broadcaster’s request for comment. However, local Trump supporters dismissed the accusations.
Jørgen Boassen, who described himself as Greenland’s biggest Trump fan, defended the gathering. “That some poor and socially disadvantaged people attended the dinner at the restaurant doesn’t mean they were bribed,” he said. “People are free to express their opinions, whether they oppose or support Trump’s plans.”
The controversy follows Trump’s renewed call to annex Greenland, a proposal he reignited on Monday via his Truth Social platform.
“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote.
Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland privately on Tuesday. A scheduled meeting between Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede and Denmark’s King Frederik was canceled due to “scheduling issues,” according to Egede and the Danish royal palace.
While Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the timing of U.S. investment announcements in Greenland as coincidental, they followed Trump’s renewed interest in the region.
A senior Greenland politician criticized Trump Jr.’s visit as a “staged event” and warned against U.S. intentions in the region.
“Given the historical treatment of Alaska’s Indigenous people, we urge the U.S. not to invade us,” said Pipaluk Lynge, an MP from Greenland’s largest party and chair of the parliamentary foreign and security policy committee. “Greenland seeks independence and democracy, not subservience to the U.S.”
