Trump says US will 'go as far as we have to' to get control of Greenland

ABC News - Mar 27th, 2025
Open on ABC News

President Donald Trump has reiterated his desire for the U.S. to gain control over Greenland, citing national and international security needs. This comes ahead of Vice President JD Vance's planned visit to the Arctic island, which is causing tension with Greenland and Denmark. The visit, initially intended to be broader, has been scaled down to include only the Pituffik military space base. Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede has condemned the U.S. actions as aggressive, seeking international support against the pressure, while Danish officials view the scaled-back visit as a prudent decision.

Trump's persistent interest in Greenland has been a recurring theme, with suggestions of acquiring the island either through purchase or other means. His remarks have been met with resistance from Greenlandic and Danish officials, emphasizing Greenland's autonomy and identity. The plan to visit the military base underscores the strategic significance of Greenland, highlighting the growing geopolitical interest in the Arctic region. Despite the controversy, Trump maintains that U.S. presence in Greenland is crucial for global security, positioning the island as a focal point in U.S. foreign policy ambitions.

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RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging look at the U.S.'s interest in Greenland, focusing on President Trump's statements and the planned visit by U.S. officials. It effectively captures the controversy and public interest surrounding this geopolitical issue, highlighting the differing perspectives of key figures involved.

While the article is clear and readable, it could benefit from more comprehensive sourcing and expert analysis to enhance its accuracy and balance. The story presents a one-sided narrative that leans heavily on President Trump's perspective, without fully exploring the broader geopolitical and economic implications.

Overall, the article serves as a solid introduction to the topic, but it could be strengthened by providing more in-depth analysis and a wider range of perspectives to better inform readers about the complexities of the issue.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story accurately reports President Trump's statements about the U.S.'s interest in Greenland, specifically his assertion that the U.S. will "go as far as we have to go" to gain control of the island. This aligns with Trump's historical interest in acquiring Greenland, as previously reported in the media. However, the article does not provide concrete evidence or sources to verify the claim that the U.S. plans to take control of Greenland, which remains speculative.

The article correctly identifies Greenland as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and notes the strategic importance of the Pituffik military space base. However, it lacks detailed verification of the specific strategic interests or military plans mentioned. The report of Vice President JD Vance's planned visit is consistent with other reports, but the article does not substantiate the criticism from Greenland's Prime Minister with direct quotes or additional context.

The story includes a response from Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Egede, rejecting the idea of U.S. control. This response is consistent with previous statements from Greenlandic officials. However, the article could benefit from more detailed sourcing or corroboration for claims about the international community's reaction and Denmark's position.

6
Balance

The article presents multiple perspectives, including those of President Trump, Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, and Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. This inclusion of different viewpoints helps provide a balanced narrative.

However, the article leans heavily on Trump's perspective without offering sufficient counterpoints or analysis from independent experts on international relations or security. While the Greenlandic and Danish positions are mentioned, they are not explored in depth, which could lead to an imbalanced understanding of the issue.

The story could improve its balance by including more detailed commentary from international relations experts or representatives from the Danish government, offering a broader context to the diplomatic implications of the U.S.'s interest in Greenland.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and straightforward in its presentation of facts and statements. It effectively communicates the main points without overwhelming the reader with complex jargon or unnecessary details.

The structure of the article is logical, with a clear progression from President Trump's statements to the planned visit by U.S. officials and the reactions from Greenland and Denmark. This helps maintain reader engagement and comprehension.

However, the article could improve clarity by providing more context or background information on the historical and geopolitical significance of Greenland, which would help readers unfamiliar with the topic understand the broader implications.

5
Source quality

The article cites statements from high-profile figures such as President Trump and Greenland's Prime Minister, which are credible sources for the claims made. However, the reliance on these political figures without additional corroborating sources or expert analysis limits the depth of the reporting.

There is a lack of diverse sources that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical and economic implications of the U.S.'s interest in Greenland. For instance, input from international relations scholars or military experts could enhance the credibility and depth of the article.

The article would benefit from a wider range of sources, including independent analysts and stakeholders from Greenland and Denmark, to provide a more nuanced perspective on the issue.

6
Transparency

The article is transparent in attributing statements to specific individuals, such as President Trump and Greenland's Prime Minister. It clearly states the positions of these figures, which helps readers understand the basis of the claims.

However, the article lacks transparency in terms of the methodology used to gather information. There is no explanation of how the information was sourced or whether attempts were made to contact other stakeholders for comment.

Greater transparency could be achieved by detailing the journalistic process, such as the attempts to reach out to Danish officials or experts for additional commentary, which would enhance the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://abcnews.go.com/International/greenland-bought-pm-after-trump-speech-congress/story?id=119469432
  2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-greenland-panama-canal-why-us-interest/
  3. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/fact-check-trump-and-supporters-false-claims-on-greenland/articleshow/119071661.cms
  4. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/usha-vance-us-officials-visit-greenland-trump-pushes/story?id=120093223
  5. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-suggests-us-control-greenland/story?id=117057427