Denmark’s Sustained Messaging Leaves Greenlanders ‘Shell-Shocked,’ U.S. Ambassador Warns

Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands described Greenlanders as “shell-shocked” by what she called sustained messaging from Denmark that has damaged trust with the United States, warning that rebuilding such relations is crucial as President Donald Trump moves to strengthen U.S. security and economic interests in the Arctic.

Sands made the remarks during an interview on Thursday while discussing Greenland’s reaction to renewed U.S. engagement and international opposition from European leaders. “I’m not sure how the people of Greenland will feel about it because I think they’re kind of shell-shocked by the ‘psyop’ that the Danish government has been doing on them for the past year to really poison their minds toward the United States,” Sands said.

She noted that the U.S.-Greenland relationship had been strong during the first Trump administration and argued trust can be rebuilt. “It’s going to take some time to rebuild the trust and relationship that the first Trump administration left with a great relationship with these wonderful people,” Sands stated.

Sands repeatedly criticized Denmark’s handling of Greenland, saying its residents have been denied economic development opportunities. “They just want to have their dream and live their life and have economic prosperity and security,” she said. “And they’ve had really neither.”

She added that Greenlanders have been left without incentives for economic growth: “They’ve been living kind of like on a welfare payment. You don’t grasp the brass ring and run with it because they don’t have the opportunity so much in Greenland because Denmark never developed it.”

Her comments came as European leaders prepared emergency discussions regarding Greenland following Trump’s sharp criticism during appearances at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Sands dismissed that reaction as political hostility toward Trump, stating: “It’s kind of reflexive. They hate Republican presidents, and they especially hate President Trump.”

She also criticized European governments for failing to strengthen their economies and defenses due to excessive regulations and climate policies, arguing U.S. efforts to encourage allies to become “sovereign nations with a good economy and strong defense” have been undermined by these constraints.

Sands emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance, warning that hostile powers gaining influence over the territory could threaten NATO and U.S. trade routes: “Having control of Greenland … make sure that that trade can continue to flow and that, for instance, the Chinese Communist Party doesn’t block our trade or our defense vessels.”

Despite international pushback, Sands insisted expanded U.S. access to Greenland would strengthen security and protect American interests.

By Theodore Bunker
Thursday, 22 January 2026 11:31 AM EST