Trump silences reporters with brutal three-word timeline for Greenland | US | News
President Trump said goodbye as he boarded Air Force One to leave Palm Beach, Florida, and return to Washington, DC, following the US operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Bloomberg TV reporter Annmarie Hodern reports from Air Force One on how Trump explained his rationale for capture and broader intentions: “Don’t ask me who’s responsible because I’ll give you an answer and it’s going to be very controversial.” “What does this mean?” When asked, Trump replied: “That means we’re in control.” He also said, “They took our oil away from us.” Asked about the reopening of the American embassy in Caracas, Trump said, “We are considering it.”
Trump also announced his plan for the region via the RapidResponse47
White House Chief Correspondent Kaitlan Collins, via X, quoted Trump as saying, “We’ll worry about Greenland in two months. Let’s talk about Greenland… in 20 days.”
Fear of the USA taking over Greenland
Meanwhile, the attack on Venezuela and the capture of the country’s president has sparked fears that the United States is planning to seize Greenland, which President Trump has repeatedly said is vital to America’s security interests.
Hours after Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro was detained on drug trafficking charges, Katie Miller, wife of Trump’s Chief of Staff Steven Miller, shared a controversial post calling for the United States to seize the Arctic island. Miller, a conservative podcaster, posted a map of Danish territory covered in an American flag and wrote simply ‘COMING SOON’.
Anger from Greenlanders and Danes
The MAGA ally’s threat sparked immediate outrage among Greenlanders and Danes, who stood up to defend their home, known for its untapped mineral wealth and part of NATO.
Danish Ambassador to the US, Jesper Moller Sorensen, reposted Miller’s provocation and shared a ‘friendly reminder’ of the established defense ties between the two countries. Sorensen wrote: “A friendly reminder about the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark: We are close allies and must continue to work together as such. The security of the United States is also the security of Greenland and Denmark.” and added: “Greenland is already part of NATO. The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States are working together to ensure security in the Arctic.”
Sorensen also noted that because they take collective security seriously, Denmark has significantly increased its Arctic security efforts, allocating $13.7 billion in 2025 to be used in the Arctic and North Atlantic alone. And he added, “And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Danish Prime Minister condemns Trump’s threats
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed Sorensen and announced that the country was increasing its military power in the face of Trump’s threat to seize Greenland. In his annual New Year’s speech, Frederiksen criticized Trump’s ongoing threats, insisting that Denmark would “stand firm on right and wrong.”
“We had to be careful of many things last year. Threats, pressure, derogatory language. Coming from our closest ally of a lifetime,” Frederiksen said, according to the Danish daily newspaper Berlingske.
“Wanting to take over another country, other people. As if it were something you could buy and own,” he added. “It doesn’t belong anywhere.”
Confuses the Danish army
In his televised speech, Frederiksen said Denmark was rapidly increasing its military power and strengthening security in the Arctic in the face of growing pressure from the president.
The Prime Minister said, “My speech tonight was not about foreign policy. It could have been that way. You know where I am, where the government stands.”
“We are working at full speed to strengthen Denmark’s defense and preparedness,” he added. “Never before have we increased our military power so significantly and so quickly.”
“We are not the ones seeking conflict. But no one should have any doubt: We will stand behind right and wrong, no matter what.”
The prime minister reiterated that the country was working to strengthen security in the Arctic and said the kingdom was large in territory but small in population.
“We assume our responsibilities in the world. If we allow one country to fall first, then the way will be opened for Russia to advance towards Europe,” he said, according to Danish media.
Capture of Maduro and US attack on Caracas
Talks that Greenland could be next for the US takeover came after the dramatic capture of Maduro and his wife Flores on Saturday, as well as the US attack on the Venezuelan capital Caracas.
An official speaking to the New York Times said that approximately 40 civilians and military personnel died in the attack. No casualties were reported from the US, but an undisclosed number of injuries were reported among US soldiers and all were reported to be in stable condition.
Maduro, 63, and his wife, 69, were detained following Trump’s accusations that Venezuela was funneling drugs and gang members to the United States. They landed in Manhattan by helicopter on Saturday evening, after previously stopping at airports in upstate New York and Puerto Rico.
