President Donald Trump’s Greenland plans dominated headlines this week, mixing high-stakes diplomacy with meme-driven messaging. The White House and the Department of Defense amplified the moment with AI-generated ‘penguin’ images tied to a viral internet meme.
Meanwhile, Trump described a framework for a future Arctic arrangement after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos. Greenland and Denmark continued to stress that Greenland's sovereignty remains non-negotiable.
The White House posted an AI-generated image on Friday showing Trump walking with a penguin in a snowy landscape. The post on X said, ‘Embrace the penguin,’ alongside imagery that included an American flag and Greenland’s flag in the background.
Hours later, the Department of Defense (DOD) rapid response page posted a similar image. Its caption said, “Be a warrior, embrace the penguin,” echoing the White House’s meme-forward framing.
Online users criticized the post’s geography. Several commenters noted that penguins live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, while Greenland is in the Arctic. A self-identified Greenlander wrote on X that Greenland does not have penguins.
The White House responded on Saturday with another post. “The penguin does not concern himself with the opinions of those who cannot comprehend,” it wrote.
Trump’s Greenland plans returned to the global stage as leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. During that stretch, he stepped back from an earlier threat to seize Greenland by military force while still arguing for US control.
Later on Wednesday, Trump said he reached “the framework of a future deal” with NATO on Greenland tied to security and mineral rights. He wrote on Truth Social that the framework would cover Greenland and “the entire Arctic Region.”
Trump also pulled back proposed tariffs on Denmark and other European allies. He had previously linked tariffs to Denmark handing over control of the semi-autonomous Arctic island.
Trump wrote in a separate post that “the Greenland structure is being worked on” and would be “amazing for the U.S.A.” NATO’s Mark Rutte told reporters the arrangement involved heightened NATO Arctic security.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark can negotiate on security, investments, and the economy. However, she said Denmark and Greenland cannot negotiate on sovereignty. Greenland’s leaders repeated that the island is not for sale.
US officials and Trump advisers have described Greenland as central to national security amid China and Russia competition. Greenland’s location sits astride Arctic sea lanes that could become more navigable as ice melts.
The island also hosts Pituffik Space Base, a US military installation used for missile warning, space surveillance, and Arctic operations. In addition, Trump and allies have pointed to Arctic mineral rights and broader resource access as strategic goals.
Domestic reaction showed notable skepticism. A Reuters/Ipsos poll said 17% of Americans support efforts to acquire Greenland, while 47% disapprove and 35% remain unsure.
In Europe, Trump’s Greenland plans widened strains even among right-wing allies who often share ideological overlap with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Far-right leaders in Germany, Italy, and France criticized the approach, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the moves “a very hostile act.”
During a debate in the European Parliament, far-right lawmakers typically aligned with Trump backed halting a European Union–United States (EU-US) trade pact. Several described Trump’s posture as “coercion” and “threats to sovereignty.”
Some leaders avoided direct criticism. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán framed Greenland as a matter to discuss within NATO, while other right-wing figures in Central and Eastern Europe stayed cautious on the dispute.
Trump has promised more clarity on the Greenland framework within two weeks, based on the provided details. Consequently, markets and allies are likely to watch closely for details on NATO Arctic security, investment terms, and any shifts in tariff policy tied to Greenland sovereignty.