Three Americans Tied to Trump Accused of Covert Influence Operations in Greenland, Danish Foreign Ministry Summons US Diplomat for Talks
In Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, the Danish foreign minister requested a meeting with the top U.S. diplomat following allegations that at least three individuals associated with President Donald Trump were engaging in clandestine influence operations within Greenland.
In a detailed statement, the U.S. State Department confirmed that Mark Stroh, the deputy chief of mission in Copenhagen, had held discussions with Danish foreign ministry officials. The department declined to comment on the activities of private American citizens in Greenland.
“The U.S. government does not control or direct the actions of private citizens,” it stated.
The statement continued, affirming that Stroh’s conversation was productive and reaffirmed the robust ties among the Government of Greenland, the United States, and Denmark. The U.S. recognized the significance of its relationships with both Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland, noting that Trump and his senior advisors had consistently emphasized their respect for Greenland’s right to determine its own destiny.
“We continue to encourage engagement and cooperation with Denmark and Greenland to promote increased security and prosperity for our nations,” the statement concluded.
The meeting marks the second instance this week of a European NATO ally summoning an American diplomat as the Trump administration revises its foreign policy approach. France had previously called U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner to its foreign ministry after he sent a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron alleging inadequate efforts against antisemitism.
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in asserting U.S. authority over Greenland, a vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. He has not ruled out the possibility of using military force to claim control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island.
Denmark and Greenland have consistently maintained that the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of U.S. intelligence gathering within their territory.
Danish broadcaster DR reported that unnamed government and security sources, along with anonymous sources in Greenland and the U.S., believe at least three American nationals connected to Trump have been conducting covert influence operations in Greenland.
One of these individuals is said to have compiled a list of pro-American Greenlanders, collected names of people opposed to Trump, and encouraged locals to highlight incidents that could be used to portray Denmark negatively in American media, according to the broadcaster’s report. Two others are alleged to have been cultivating relationships with politicians, businesspeople, and locals, as per the report.
DR based its story on information from a total of eight sources, who suspect that the objective is to undermine relations with Denmark from within Greenlandic society. The broadcaster could not determine whether the Americans were acting independently or under orders from someone else. It chose to withhold their names to protect its sources.
The Associated Press was unable to verify the report independently.
“We are conscious of foreign entities maintaining interest in Greenland and its role within the Kingdom of Denmark,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated. “Given the current circumstances, it is not surprising if we encounter external attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the coming period.”
“Any attempt to meddle in the internal affairs of the Kingdom will be unacceptable,” Rasmussen added.
Cooperation between the governments of Denmark and Greenland, according to Rasmussen, is close and built upon mutual trust.
The White House, like the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, declined to comment on the specifics of DR’s reporting regarding covert influence operations in Greenland by individuals linked to Trump. However, a White House official, who requested anonymity due to not being authorized to speak publicly, downplayed Denmark’s concerns and suggested that the Danes should remain calm.
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service expressed concern that “given the current situation, Greenland is a target for influence campaigns of various kinds” aimed at creating divisions in the relationship between Denmark and Greenland.
It assessed that this could be achieved by exploiting existing or fabricated disagreements, for example in connection with well-known individual cases, or by promoting or amplifying certain viewpoints in Greenland regarding the Kingdom, the United States, or other countries with a particular interest in Greenland.
The service, known by its Danish acronym PET, stated that it has “recently strengthened” its efforts and presence in Greenland in cooperation with local authorities, and will continue to do so.