Trump Faces Backlash Following 'Random Outburst' Claiming Greenland Residents Are Sick, Not Receiving Care

President Donald Trump is facing pushback from Danish and Greenlandic officials after he posted on Truth Social claiming that 'a lot of people are getting sick' in Greenland and are not receiving proper care — a claim neither government invited nor verified. The remarks followed the medical evacuation of a US submarine crew member off the Greenland coast, which Trump appeared to use as the basis for announcing plans to deploy a hospital ship to the autonomous territory.

Both Denmark and Greenland have public healthcare systems that provide free treatment to citizens, and officials from both governments wasted no time in saying so. The episode is the latest flashpoint in Trump's running interest in Greenland, which he has repeatedly suggested the US should take control of, citing the territory's strategic resources, including graphite, rare earth elements, and green technology materials.

Denmark, Greenland Leaders Push Back Against Trump

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded directly, saying she was proud to live in a country that offers free and equal access to healthcare for all — one where treatment is not tied to insurance or personal wealth. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen took a sharper tone.

'President Trump's idea of sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted. But we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens. It is a deliberate choice. But talk to us instead of just making more or less random outbursts on social media,' Nielsen wrote.

'Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It's on the way!!!' Trump wrote.

What Triggered the Post

Arctic command forces evacuated the submarine crew member and transported him by helicopter to a hospital. Trump cited no further evidence for his broader claim that Greenland residents are going without medical care.

The hospital ship announcement fits a pattern. Earlier this year, Trump publicly revived his ambition to take over Greenland, with multiple reports suggesting his interest is driven less by the territory itself and more by a desire to keep China from accessing its natural resources.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that he wasn't made aware that a hospital ship had been deployed just like what Trump said. Questions about the US Navy's two ships, the USNS Mercy and the USNS Comfort have been directed to the White House. However, they did not immediately respond.

Donald Trump Criticised Following Hospital Ship Comment

The post drew swift criticism online. On X, users challenged Trump's characterisation of Greenland's healthcare system and questioned why he had made the claim at all.

'Just another lie,' one person wrote.

'Uhh. Do you know how many people in the US are sick and not receiving care? What a joke of a man,' one person wrote.

'They have universal healthcare. Do we? No,' another person commented.

'How in the hell does someone have time while eating KFC to imagine such things? Someone please send an army of psychiatrists to DC. That is where medical/mental health is not happening for the one who wants Greenland so much,' a social media user commented.