Trump's post of image suggesting U.S. control over Greenland disrespectful: Greenlandic PM

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen (L, on the snow) is seen during a demonstration against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)

Trump posted an image of himself placing the U.S. flag on the territory of Greenland on Tuesday on his social media platform Truth Social.

OSLO, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's post of an image suggesting U.S. control over Greenland is disrespectful, said Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on Tuesday.

"We, of course, follow what is happening on social media, and it is not respectful," Nielsen said at a press conference in Nuuk, Greenland's capital. "We want dialogue through the proper channels, so that it does not take place in the press and on social media," he added.

This photo taken on Jan. 16, 2026 shows a mountain near Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)

Trump posted an image of himself placing the U.S. flag on the territory of Greenland on Tuesday on his social media platform Truth Social.

In the image, Trump is accompanied by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with a sign nearby reading "GREENLAND - US TERRITORY EST. 2026."

Nielsen reiterated that Greenland must be prepared for all possibilities, as Trump has not ruled out the use of force.

People attend a demonstration against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)

He emphasized once again that Greenland is part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and that any military operation would have far-reaching consequences beyond Greenland's borders.

Amid the increasing tensions in the Arctic, "there is no doubt that we need to have a larger military presence," Nielsen said.